Mon Jun 2 11:57:19 2008

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Federer moves into French quarters

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Paris, France (Sports Network) - Two-time runner-up Roger Federer was a straight-set fourth-round winner Monday at the French Open.

The top-seeded/world No. 1 Federer handled Frenchman Julien Benneteau 6-4, 7-5, 7-5 on Day 9 at Roland Garros. The Swiss superstar moved on in 2 hours, 26 minutes, despite misfiring for 42 unforced errors. Federer broke Benneteau's serve six times, compared to three breaks for the French favorite.

Federer, who lost to Spanish clay-court wizard Rafael Nadal in the last two finals here, will compete in his fourth French Open quarter, going 3-0 in his previous efforts in the round of eight. Federer has lost to Nadal in his last three trips to this Parisian major, including a semifinal setback in 2005.

The 26-year-old Federer, the reigning five-time Wimbledon and four-time U.S. Open champion, still needs the French Open to complete a career Grand Slam.

Federer's quarterfinal opponent on Wednesday will be 24th-seeded Chilean Fernando Gonzalez, marking a rematch of last year's Australian Open final, which was won by the 12-time Grand Slam champion from Switzerland.

Earlier on Monday, Gonzalez eliminated Robby Ginepri, who was the last American standing in either singles draw. "Gonzo" ended the unseeded Ginepri's surprising run here with a 7-6 (7-4), 6-3, 6-1 decision.

Prior to this year, Ginepri had been 0-5 in his previous trips to Roland Garros. He was the first American man to reach the fourth round here since 2003.

Gonzalez will appear in his second French Open quarterfinal in six years.