Federer rolls on at French Open

Jun 1, 2007, 14:33 GMT

Paris, France - Roger Federer was among the third-round winners Friday at the French Open.

The top-seeded Swiss superstar polished off Italy's Potito Starace in just 91 minutes with a 6-2, 6-3, 6-0 rout. It wasn't much of a contest, as Federer broke serve six times and saved each of three break points against his own serve.

Federer will continue his quest to win the only Grand Slam event that has eluded him against Russia's Mikhail Youzhny. The 13th seed eliminated 2003 French Open champ Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain, 6-7 (3-7), 7-6 (7-3), 6-2, 6-2.

Ferrero has failed to make it past the third round at Roland Garros since capturing his lone Grand Slam title four years ago, but many speculated that his strong clay-court background could have made it tough for Federer in the round of 16.

Instead it will be Youzhny, who has struggled mightily against Federer. He has not won a match in nine all-time tries against the world No. 1, including losses this year at the Australian Open and in the final at Dubai.

Federer finished as the runner-up last year to Spanish clay sensation Rafael Nadal and needs a French Open crown to complete a coveted career Grand Slam. A victory here would also make him the current holder of all four major championships. The 10-time Grand Slam champ followed his French Open loss last year with wins at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, then started 2007 with a victory at the Australian Open.

One other third-round winner Friday was Argentina's Juan Monaco, who posted a 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 victory over France's Edouard Roger-Vasselin.

The second round was finally completed Friday as well. Paul-Henri Mathieu toppled fellow Frenchman Gilles Simon in four sets, while Russia's Igor Andreev bounced Chile's Nicolas Massu in four. Andreev upended third-seeded American Andy Roddick in the first round.

© 2007 The Sports Network