Federer finds a way past Berdych in difficult win

Jan 21, 2008, 10:06 GMT

Melbourne - Roger Federer occasionally struggled to find his best tennis but began gaining momentum for a possible Australian Open trophy hat-trick as he overcame Czech Tomas Tomas Berdych 6-4, 7-6 (9-7), 6-3 in the round of 16 on Monday.

Less than 48 hours after being stretched to the five-set limit by studious Serb Janko Tipsarevic, an avid reader, Switzerland's world number turned the page on Berdych with a sixth consecutive win over the Czech.

'This was a tough match today,' said the Swiss, 'Every time I play against him it's never easy. He's a great ball striker, got a great serve. You've got to be very careful.

'Many times you see routine scores but actually they were hard-fought.'

Federer, still not the flawless tennis machine he can be, move to the quarter-finals to take up the next challenge against James Blake.

The American got into the last eight at a Grand Slam outside of his home US Open for the first time with a demolition of Croatian Marin Cilic, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.

Federer leads the American 7-0 including the 2006 Masters Cup final in China.

'He's improved a lot the last couple years, he plays incredibly aggressive tennis. I have to be very careful but I know his game sort of suits my game,' said the Swiss.

Federer's win over Berdych, who destroyed his Olympic dream four years ago in Athens, was hard-fought, with the top seed recovering from a break early in the second set after lifting the first.

Berdych, seeded 13th, nervously threw away two break points, the first on a missed drop shot and the second as he over hit a forehand.

That was all the opening Federer needed for a two-sets-to-love lead as he convert on his own first set point.

'Thank God he didn't win that second set because you never know what's going to happen, because I think he was the better player in that set,' said Federer. 'For me, that was a huge set to win and I benefited off it in the third.'

Federer's win in just under two hours was his 40th at the Open.

Earlier, women's fourth seed Ana Ivanovic shook the sleep out of her eyes as during a morning match but awoke to beat Dane Caroline Wozniacki 6-1, 7-6 (7-2) to reach the quarters.

'I'm thrilled to be through,' said the Serb, who needed two match points to advance over her 17-year-old opponent. 'I played well at the beginning - then I got sleepy. I'm happy I could manage to finish in two sets.'

Ivanovic will play Tuesday against Venus Williams, who overcame a few niggles in beating Polish qualifier Marta Domachowska 6-4, 6-4.

Williams stands 4-0 against Ivanovic, their last meeting the fourth round of the US Open.

'She's a big hitter and she likes to dominate the rallies. So it will be just important for me to stay there, stay there with her, and still try to get that first shot,' said the 20-year-old Serb.

Wimbledon winner Williams played with a thigh strapping and came back from a break down in the opening set. The American also trailed 3-1 in the second before finally prevailing against the number 146, missing on a match point at one late stage.

Ivanovic promises to rise and shine for her upcoming encounter after feeling the early-hours start against Wozniacki.

'This was my first match, and I'd been used to sleeping in,' Ivanovic said. 'Today I had to wake up early, so I went to bed last night at 10 pm with the babies. But I'm in good shape and feel ready.'

Agnieszka Radwanska saved face for Poland with an upset of Russian 14th seed Nadia Petrova, 1-6, 7-5, 6-0. She next plays Daniela Hantuchova, who beat Maria Kirilenko 1-6, 6-4, 6-4.