Roland Garros—Paris, France
World No. 3 Roger Federer survived some testy moments but reached the fourth-round of the French Open for the eighth straight year, defeating Frenchman Nicolas Mahut, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2, 7-5.
Not having his best serving day by any measure, Federer made 58 percent of his first serves in and committed three double faults. Striking 54 winners and 25 unforced errors, Federer will next face lucky loser David Goffin for a place in the quarterfinals. Goffin took out Lukasz Kubot 7-6(4), 7-5, 6-1.
Goffin, who is currently No. 109 in the world, had never reached the main draw of a major prior to Paris this year.
Elsewhere, No. 5 seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga was impressive in defeating last year’s quarter-finalist Fabio Fognini, 7-5, 6-4, 6-4. Tsonga, who reached the fourth-round in Paris for the third time in the last four years, will next face Stanislas Wawrinka for a place in the quarters. Wawrinka defeated Gilles Simon 7-5, 6-7(5), 6-7(3), 6-3, 6-2 later in the day.
Twin towers Tomas Berdych and Juan Martin del Potro set up an enticing fourth-round clash after defeating Kevin Anderson and Marin Cilic, respectively.
Berdych overcame a two sets to one deficit against Anderson to prevail, 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(4), 6-4, 6-4 and del Potro continued his campaign by dismissing Cilic, 6-3, 7-6(7), 6-1.
Del Potro currently leads Berdych 3-2 in the pair’s head-to-head.
Italy’s Andreas Seppi continued his fine season by dispatching Fernando Verdasco, 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, 4-6, 6-2. He’ll next face top seed Novak Djokovic, who was a late day winner over Nicolas Devilder 6-1, 6-2, 6-2.
