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Nadal rolls on, Federer improves

Roger Federer celebrates after winning his match against Juan Carlos Ferrero at the Rothenbaum stadium in Hamburg, Germany, on Thursday. PHOTO: EPA

Rafael Nadal easily defeated the last man to beat him on clay on Thursday, downing Igor Andreev 6-4, 6-1 to reach the quarter-finals of the Hamburg Masters.

Top-ranked Roger Federer also advanced, producing some solid tennis to beat Juan Carlos Ferrero 6-2, 6-3.

Nadal extended his record streak to 79 victories on clay. He has been unbeaten on the surface since he lost to Andreev in the quarter-finals of the Valencia Open on April 8, 2005.

Since then, Nadal's run has included 13 tournament titles.

"It was a long time ago. It doesn't matter to me," Nadal said of facing the last man to have beaten him. "What matters is that he is a very difficult player on clay so it's good to have a win against him."

Nadal, seeded second in the tournament behind Federer, dominated Thursday's match, facing only two break points and saving them both.

"I am happy with my game. The wind was a problem, it's difficult to play winners in such conditions," Nadal said. "But the court was a little faster than yesterday and it was better for me. I felt very comfortable on the court throughout the match."

In the quarter-finals, Nadal plays fifth-seeded Fernando Gonzalez, whom he beat in the Rome Masters final on Sunday. Gonzalez rallied to defeat Jurgen Melzer 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Federer, who needs to win the French Open to complete a career Grand Slam, has gone four straight tournaments without a title — his worst run since becoming the top-ranked player in February 2004.

But he looked strong against Ferrero, a former French Open champion and once the top player on clay. Ferrero had only one break point and couldn't use it.

"I thought I mixed it up pretty well today," Federer said. "I also served very well throughout the match and that's what I like to see."

"I felt very good and I am happy with my game. It was windy, sun and shadow. It wasn't easy to play," Federer said.

Three other Spaniards joined Nadal in the quarter-finals. David Ferrer beat Ivan Ljubicic 6-3, 6-3, Carlos Moya rallied to upset eighth-seeded James Blake 1-6, 6-3, 6-3, and Nicolas Almagro defeated Jose Acasuso 6-2, 6-3.

Federer next goes against Ferrer, against whom he has never lost a set in six matches.

Fourth-seeded Novak Djokovic overcame pain in his left shoulder and left leg in the third set and beat Jarkko Nieminen 7-5, 4-6, 6-4. They were among several players who had to play twice during the day because their matches Wednesday had been delayed or interrupted by rain.

Lleyton Hewitt upset third-seeded Nikolay Davydenko 6-4, 2-6, 6-4.

In the quarter-finals, Djokovic plays Moya and Almagro faces Hewitt.
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