Sport - Tennis

Nalbandian upsets Federer again

PARIS: David Nalbandian beat Roger Federer on Thursday for the second time in less than two weeks, earning a 6-4, 7-6(3) victory in the third round of the Paris Masters.

The result evened the all-time series between the two 8-8 and ended Federer’s streak of reaching the final in eight straight tournaments — dating back to May.

“It’s not easy being aggressive against him when you’re three metres behind the baseline,” said Federer, who lost to the Argentine in the final of the Madrid Masters on October 21.

“He’s got a phenomenal backhand and can dictate play from both sides,” said Federer, who lost for the eighth time this season.

Guillermo Canas and Rafael Nadal also have beaten Federer twice each while Novak Djokovic and Filippo Volandri also have beaten the Swiss.

“I wish the conditions were a bit faster because indoors is supposed to be fast,” Federer said. “Not here, I guess.”

Nalbandian didn’t complain.

Fifth-seeded David Ferrer of Spain also advanced after beating 12th-seeded Tomas Berdych 6-4, 6-2.

After beating Federer in Madrid, Nalbandian was eliminated in the first round of last week’s event in Basel, Switzerland. The week before Madrid, he was eliminated in the second round in Vienna.

“Federer’s the No. 1 in the world,” Nalbandian said. “You always have to be at 100 per cent. I was, just like in Madrid.”

Meanwhile, Nikolay Davydenko again was accused of not putting forth his best effort, with the chair umpire criticising the Russian’s serving during a 6-2, 6-2 third-round loss to Marcos Baghdatis.

Last week at the St. Petersburg Open, Davydenko was fined $2,000 by the ATP for “lack of best effort” during a 1-6, 7-5, 6-1 loss to Marin Cilic.

Later, Marcos Baghdatis defeated Tommy Robredo 6-4, 6-4 in the quarterfinals.

In Quebec City, American Lindsay Davenport advanced to the Bell Challenge quarterfinals, routing Canada’s Aleksandra Wozniak 6-1, 6-0.

The three-time Gland Slam champion returned to play in September, winning the Bali Open and reaching the semifinals in the China Open.

Earlier, Vania King set up a quarterfinal against fellow American Julie Ditty, beating Renata Voracova of the Czech Republic 6-2, 4-6, 6-4.

Ditty defeated Maret Ani of Estonia 6-3, 6-3 at Club Avantage Multi-Sports de Quebec.

Eighth-seeded Olga Poutchkova of Russia also advanced, beating American Jill Craybas 6-2, 6-3.

Poutchkova will face second-seeded Vera Zvonareva of Russia, a winner over France’s Severine Bermond on Wednesday night.

The results: Paris Masters (Quarterfinals): Marcos Baghdatis bt Tommy Robredo 6-4, 6-4. Third round: Richard Gasquet bt James Blake 6-4, 6-4; David Ferrer bt Tomas Berdych 6-4, 6-2; David Nalbandian bt Roger Federer 6-4, 7-6(3); Mikhail Youzhny bt Tommy Haas 6-4, 1-6, 6-3.

Bell Challenge (Second round): Julie Ditty bt Maret Ani 6-3, 6-3; Vania King bt Renata Voracova 6-2, 4-6, 6-4; Olga Poutchkova bt Jill Craybas 6-2, 6-3; Lindsay Davenport bt Aleksandra Wozniak 6-1, 6-0; Stephanie Foretz bt Sofia Arvidsson 1-6, 6-2, 7-5. —Agencies

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