French Open Update

01Jun08

MEN’S

Ivan Ljubicic came from two sets down to stun fourth seed Nikolay Davydenko with a 4-6 2-6 6-3 6-2 6-4 victory in round three of the French Open.

There were no problems for top seed Roger Federer, who was in superb form as he beat Mario Ancic 6-3 6-4 6-2.

Fifth seed David Ferrer came through a marathon struggle with Lleyton Hewitt to reach the fourth round.Ferrer won 6-2 3-6 3-6 6-3 6-4 despite a mid-match slump and facing a break point in game six of the fifth set.

Ferrer goes on to face Radek Stepanek, who thrashed 12th seed Tommy Robredo 6-3 6-2 6-1.

Gael Monfils ironed out his inconsistencies and displayed impressive stamina to overcome Jurgen Melzer 4-6 7-5 4-6 6-0 6-2.

Robby Ginepri, the last American man or woman playing singles in this year’s tournament, beat Florent Serra of France 6-4 6-4 6-4.

Chile’s Fernando Gonzalez, who came back from two sets and a break down to beat ninth seed Stanislas Wawrinka 5-7 2-6 6-4 6-4 6-4.

WOMEN’S

Maria Sharapova showed improved form as she beat Italy’s Karin Knapp 7-6 (7-4) 6-0 in the third round of the French Open.

Kuznetsova continued her impressive progress with a comprehensive 6-2 6-1 win over fellow Russian Nadia Petrova in one hour nine minutes.

Kuznetsova goes on to face 16th seed Victoria Azarenka in the last 16, after the 18-year-old Belarussian defeated Schiavone 6-1 6-1.

Jankovic completed a 7-5 6-3 win over Dominika Cubulkova.

Safina, the 13th seed and a dark horse for the title after some good form recently, saw off Jie Zheng 6-2 7-5.

Seventh seed Elena Dementieva beat Olga Govortsova 6-0 6-4 and will next meet fellow Russian Vera Zvonareva, who defeated Aleksandra Wozniak 6-2 6-2.