Federer beat Michael Llordra (7-6, 6-3) TORONTO (AP)—Third-seeded Roger Federer advanced to the quarterfinals of the Rogers Cup tennis tournament with a 7-6 (2), 6-3 victory over Michael Llodra of France on Thursday.
Federer, who won here in 2004 and 2006, needed 1 hour, 19 minutes to complete the victory. He will next play No. 7 seed Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic, who edged Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-4.
Llodra even picked up a souvenir after shaking hands with the two-time champion, asking Federer for his pink tennis shirt. “Roger is a legend,” Llodra said. “It’s a good present for my kids.”
In the second set, Llodra tried to throw Federer a curveball. A rare underhand serve. “It’s the first time I got an underarm serve,” Federer said with a laugh. “The third time somebody asked me for the shirt.” Llodra put spin on it, causing the ball to go sideways when it hit the court.
Federer seemed ready to swat a forehand winner but instead barely got his racket on the ball, sending it well wide. “I just wanted to make something special,” Llodra said. Federer appeared comfortable throughout the match. He said he enjoyed the change of pace.
“This is how (the game) used to be played,” Federer said. “You rather hit a volley than a passing shot. And he’s a good volleyer, a good athlete at the net and that’s why you want to try to move forward early on in the point.”
David Nalbandian of Argentina upset fifth-seeded Robin Soderling of Sweden 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 in the third round and Jeremy Chardy of France knocked off sixth-seeded Russian Nikolay Davydenko 6-3, 6-2. Fourth-seeded Andy Murray of Britain held off Gael Monfils of France 6-2, 0-6, 6-3.
Top-seeded Spaniard Rafael Nadal was to face Kevin Anderson of South Africa in a later match.
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