Roger Federer [Images] stayed on track for a record-equalling 14th Grand Slam title when he swatted aside former champion Marat Safin [Images] in the third round.
The anticipated clash of tennis juggernauts failed to materialise as the Swiss totally dominated the match between former world number ones to win 6-3, 6-2, 7-6 under floodlights.
Federer will next meet Tomas Berdych after the Czech beat Switzerland's [Images] Stanislas Wawrinka 4-6, 6-1, 6-3, 6-4.
"I would have loved to play Stan, he's a good friend of mine," Federer said. "I hope I can carry this form over and beat Tomas again."
Ivanovic capitulates against gutsy Russian
Last year's Australian Open [Images] runner-up Ana Ivanovic [Images] capitulated under the floodlights on Friday, sliding out following a 7-5, 6-7, 6-2 defeat by Russia's [Images] Alisa Kleybanova.
The French Open champion and fifth seed got off to a solid enough start but fell apart when leading 5-3 in the first set and soon found herself 7-5 3-0 down having lost seven successive games.
The 19-year-old Muscovite was hitting freely but Ivanovic fought back to win the second set in a tiebreak.
Kleybanova broke again early in the deciding set and sealed victory to set up a fourth round clash with Jelena Dokic [Images].
© Copyright 2009 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.
|