CINCINNATI:Tommy Robredo shocked world number one Novak Djokovic yesterday at the Cincinnati Masters, but Roger Federer avoided an upset against Frenchman Gael Monfils.
Spain’s Robredo, seeded 16th in the US Open tune-up, sent top-seeded Djokovic packing 7-6 (8/6), 7-5, the defeat coming a week after the world number one Serb was beaten in the third round at Toronto.
The Wimbledon champion now goes into the US Open, the final Grand Slam of the year which starts on August 25, well short of matches and confidence.
Second-seeded Federer, a five-time Cincinnati champion, held off Monfils 6-4, 4-6, 6-3.
He booked a tough quarter-final against eighth-seeded Scot Andy Murray, who battled more than two hours against the huge serve of John Isner, finally dispatching the American 6-7 (3/7), 6-4, 7-6 (7/2).
Federer had a rare show of temper late in the match, arguing with the chair umpire over a decision not to call on electronic line-calling on a particular point.
But Federer quickly recovered his poise, clinching the match with a service winner after breaking Monfils in the penultimate game.
Australian Open champion Stan Wawrinka, the third seed, rallied to beat Croatian Marin Cilic 3-6, 6-0, 6-1.
He’ll play France’s Julien Benneteau, who beat Jerzy Janowicz 7-5, 6-1.
Fifth seed Milos Raonic made amends with his 30th ace on match point after earlier double-faulting three times while serving for victory.
The Canadian defeated American Steve Johnson 6-7 (7/9), 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) and next faces Italian 15th seed Fabio Fognini. Fognini beat Lu Yen-Hsun of Taiwan 3-6, 6-3, 6-3.
In women’s action in the combined ATP and WTA event, defending champion Serena Williams continued her march through the draw, beating Italian 13th seed Flavia Pennetta 6-2, 6-2.
Williams next plays eighth seed Jelena Jankovic, who beat Sloane Stephens 7-6 (7/4), 6-4.
Also through was world number two and second seed Simona Halep, a 6-4, 7-5 winner against Czech Lucie Safarova.
Halep earned a mouth-watering rematch with fifth-seeded Sharapova, who beat fellow Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-4, 7-6 (7/2).
Sharapova had to rally from a break down three times in the second set but managed to finish it off in two.
AFP
