Nadal and Federer move closer to showdown

Reuters/Monte Carlo

RIGHT BEHIND IT: Spain’s Rafael Nadal returns the ball to France’s Richard Gasquet during the Monte Carlo Masters tennis tournament in Monaco

Rafael Nadal and rival Roger Federer moved closer to a potential fourth final at the Monte Carlo Masters yesterday as both posted straight-set third round wins to coast into the quarter-finals. Top seed Nadal, a consecutive six-time champion who is now unbeaten in 34 straight matches at the Principality, maintained his traditional momentum to see off Frenchman Richard Gasquet 6-2, 6-4. Three-time losing finalist Federer, the number two, was equally ruthless as he dispatched Croatian Marin Cilic 6-4, 6-3 in 71 minutes with a break of serve per set enough to go through. “Today was another solid performance, which I’m very happy about. I’m happy that I’m solid on my serve. That allows me then to get an opportunity, when I’m returning, which could be the set if I break,” said the Swiss. Federer won his 24th match of the season for four defeats - his last to Nadal in Miami, the other three to Novak Djokovic. He now stands level with Djokovic for the most wins so far this season, however this week the Swiss will be mindful of the three defeats he has suffered at the hands of Nadal in the finals of Monte Carlo in 2006-08. Nadal took 93 minutes to claim what was his eighth win without a loss against 18th-ranked Gasquet. “There were tough games at the beginning, but I won them both,” said Nadal. “In general I think I played a very solid match. I’m very happy how I played. It was better than yesterday, easier. “This was a a very positive victory against a very difficult opponent.” Nadal next faces a seasoned campaigner in Croatian veteran Ivan Ljubicic, who upset Czech fifth seed Thomas Berdych 6-4, 6-2. Two more Spanish seeds had mixed results in the third round, with number four David Ferrer defeating Canadian breakthrough player Milos Raonic 6-1, 6-3 as the 34th-ranked youngster lost serve five times and committed 40 unforced errors in slower conditions imminently suitable to the grinding Ferrer game. Serb 11th seed Viktor Troicki reached the last eight as Spain’s Tommy Robredo retired to hand over a 3-6, 2-1 win. Robredo suffered an adductor injury a month ago in California and was forced to miss the Miami Masters. He resumed training last week in Barcelona. Third seed Andy Murray was hoping to continue his comeback effort after finally winning his first match since January on Wednesday as he faced French 16th seed Gilles Simon.RESULTS3rd rd: David Ferrer (ESP x4) bt Milos Raonic (CAN) 6-1, 6-3; Ivan Ljubicic (CRO) bt Tomas Berdych (CZE x5) 6-4, 6-2; Viktor Troicki (SRB x11) bt Tommy Robredo (ESP) 3-6, 2-1 retired; Rafael Nadal (ESP x1) bt Richard Gasquet (FRA x13) 6-2, 6-4; Roger Federer (SUI x2) bt Marin Cilic (CRO x15) 6-4, 6-3; Frederico Gil (POR) bt Gael Monfils (FRA x8) 7-6 (7/2), 6-2; Andy Murray (GRB x3) bt Gilles Simon (FRA x16) 6-3, 6-3.