World number one Federer crashes out of Miami tennis

Miami: World number one Roger Federer was sent crashing out of the ATP and WTA Masters tournament dropping a 6-4, 6-7 (3/7), 7-6 (8/6) fourth round marathon match to Czech Tomas Berdych.

The reigning Australian Open champion yesterday suffered just his second loss to Berdych in 10 career meetings. Berdych, the 16th seed, hammered six aces and won 67 percent of his first service points in the two hour, 51 minute match on the hardcourts at Crandon Park. Six-time Grand Slam champ Rafael Nadal and American Andy Roddick were two of eight seeded players to advance to the quarter-finals yesterday. Nadal, who is playing in just his fourth tournament of the season, outlasted fellow Spaniard David Ferrer 7-6 (7/5), 6-4. "With each round it gets more difficult," Nadal said. "I had my moments today but I also had moments where I made more mistakes than usual but it was an important win." Federer, who has 16 Grand Slam titles, was also knocked out in the third round of his last tournament two weeks ago at Indian Wells and had to withdraw from the Dubai event last month with a lung infection. Berdych reached his fifth quarter-final of the season and now has a 15-7 record this season. He lost to Nadal in the quarters at Indian Wells and made the semis at Brisbane before being eliminated by Roddick. Five of the top ten seeds remain in the draw as the only two unseeded players were eliminated yesterday. Nadal won the first set in a tiebreak then raced out to a 3-0 lead in the second before Ferrer rallied in the one hour, 57 minute match. Nadal, who is an impressive 15-3 this year, is coming off a semi-final finish and a double title at the Indian Wells event two weeks ago. It was his first tournament since retiring in the quarters of the Aussie Open because of a right knee injury. Nadal next faces Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, against whom he owns a 4-1 lead in their head-to-head series. Former champion Roddick continued his mastery over Benjamin Becker by beating the unseeded German 7-6 (6/4), 6-3. Roddick, who is seeking his first win here since 2004, improved to 23-4 this year and advanced to his seventh quarter-final in 11 previous appearances in the event. Roland Garros finalist Robin Soderling reached the Miami quarter-finals for the first time with a 6-0, 6-7 (7/3), 6-2 win over Chilean Fernando Gonzalez. Eighth seeded Tsonga beat No 12 Juan Carlos Ferrero 6-2, 6-2, and Nicolas Almagro eliminated Thomaz Bellucci 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (7/3). In women`s play, Venus Williams, who is the oldest women`s quarter-finalist at 29, beat Agnieszka Radwanska 6-3, 6-1 to advance to the semis. "When I`m executing and playing my best, it`s great," said Venus, who is bidding to win her fourth Key Biscayne title and first in nine years. "It feels good, and I feel like I`m definitely dictating the points and that I don`t give my opponent as many chances to have a say." Third seeded Venus has won 14 matches in a row, and two more would give her three straight tournament titles for the first time since 2002. She hammered eight aces and lost only five points on her first serve. She struggled with her backhand but won 15 of 19 net points to reach the semis where she will face France`s Marion Bartoli who beat Yanina Wickmayer 6-4, 7-5. "I play my best game when I`m more aggressive, because that`s my style," she said. "Others don`t play as well as aggressively, because that`s not their style. It just seems to be better when I move forward, and I try to do that." (AFP) Bureau Report