Roger Federer and Robin Soderling progress at the Paris Masters
World number two Roger Federer defeated Radek Stepanek in the third round of the Paris Masters on Thursday 11 November, while Robin Soderling also progressed to the last eight with a win over Stanislas Wawrinka.
Federer, the tournament's top seed, was pressured by Stepanek early in the first set before seeing off the Czech comfortably to win 6–4 6–3.
"He was really coming at me, serving well, making me doubt a bit from the baseline," the Swiss told Sky Sports after the victory. "But I always felt I had the upper hand from the baseline and I think that relaxed me to go for more on the return, and I was
serving consistently after the scare I had in the first set, when I had to save a few break points."
Stepanek nearly breaks early on
Federer, who has yet to win the Paris Masters despite his 65 titles on the ATP Tour, had to defend two break points in the third game of the first set as Stepanek hit a backhand wide before the Swiss hit an ace past the Czech.
The players held their respective serves until Federer found himself a break from winning the set at 5–4.
Stepanek then hit a long forehand, gifting the top seed two set points. The 31-year-old saved the first with a strong serve, but could do nothing when Federer hit an impressive passing shot after his volleyed effort.
Federer earned his break early in the second set as he hit a deft lob over Stepanek, who then saved a break point before another great return from Federer gave him the advantage.
The Swiss, who failed to reach any Grand Slam final this year after winning the Australian Open in January, then kept steady on his serve as Stepanek denied him another break in the set.
In his last two service games, Federer held to love to seal the second set and progress to Friday's quarter-finals, where he will face world number twelve Jurgen Melzer of Austria.
Soderling through after difficult first set
Soderling defeated Wawrinka, another Swiss player, in two straight sets, winning 7–6 6–3 after the first went to a tie break.
The Swede looked untroubled against France's Gilles Simon in the second round, but was forced to a tie break by Wawrinka in the first set.
In the second set, the fifth seed looked more composed, breaking once to seal the victory and set up a meeting with Andy Roddick in Friday's quarter-final.
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