Sharapova rips through Vives during Round 4

Maria Sharapova of Russia jubilates after defeating Nuria Llagostera Vives of Spain in the French Open at Roland Garros in Paris, yesterday. PHOTO: AFP

Maria Sharapova needed only 10 minutes to complete a rain-interrupted, fourth-round victory at the French Open, sweeping the final three games when play resumed to beat Nuria Llagostera Vives 6-2, 6-3 yesterday.

The match was halted Sunday night because of drizzle with the second set at 3-all and resumed in damp, 15C weather. Sharapova closed out the win 17 points later when Llagostera Vives shanked a backhand on match point.

Seeded second, Sharapova celebrated her berth in the quarterfinals by smiling and blowing kisses to the sparse crowd on Court Suzanne Lenglen. The current Wimbledon struggled with her serve throughout the match but hit 17 winners and improved to 31-5 this year.

Top-ranked Roger Federer equaled his best showing at Roland Garros when he advanced to the quarterfinals Sunday, shaking off the errant volley to beat an ailing Carlos Moya 6-1, 6-4, 6-3.

Federer improved to 45-2 this year. He has yet to drop a set through four rounds at the only Grand Slam event he hasn't won.

Justine Henin-Hardenne of Belgium returns the ball to Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia during during the French Open at Roland Garros in Paris, yesterday. PHOTO: AFP

"I'm very relieved in a way, and happy to have come so far after a few years of tough times here in Paris," Federer said.

"I've won four matches, which is good. But of course once you get to the quarters, you want more, especially because I haven't been using my reserve tank yet. I still have a lot of energy left. I'm looking forward to hopefully another few more matches."

Moya, the 1998 champion, gave Federer little trouble while playing with a sore shoulder that hindered his serve and forehand. The Spaniard said he needs rest and isn't sure whether he'll play Wimbledon.

"I'm glad that I managed to save some energy," Federer said. "I'm surprised that he finished the match."

Federer's opponent today will be 90th-ranked Victor Hanescu, who upset No. 10 David Nalbandian 6-3, 4-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2. Hanescu, who arrived in Paris with a record of 6-9 this year, will play in his first Grand Slam quarterfinal.

"When I started to play tennis, I was dreaming to be here," Hanescu said. "My family is a poor family. When I was young, we didn't have so much money even to eat sometimes. Now I'm here and very happy."

No. 9 Guillermo Canas and No. 28 Nicolas Kiefer completed victories in third-round matches suspended Saturday because of darkness.

On the women's side, top-ranked Lindsay Davenport will play in the quarterfinals for the first time in six years Tuesday when she faces 2000 champion Mary Pierce of France.

Davenport won in three sets for the fourth time in as many matches, beating two-time runner-up Kim Clijsters 1-6, 7-5, 6-3. Davenport, the tournament's only remaining American, male or female, seeks the lone major title she has yet to win.

The match between Rafael Nadal and Frenchman Sebastien Grosjean was first interrupted by booing, then by rain.

Drizzle forced suspension of play until Monday, with Nadal leading 6-4, 3-6, 3-0.

Fans began hooting in the second set when a linesman ruled a shot by Nadal on the line, helping him win the point for a 1-0 lead. When Damien Steiner refused to climb down from the umpire's chair to check the mark, Grosjean became incensed.

Jeering by fans delayed play for about 10 minutes, until the boos finally faded when Grosjean made a gesture appealing for quiet.