TENNIS

Roundup for Thursday

OEIRAS, Portugal: Roger Federer overpowered Victor Hanescu 6-3, 6-2 Thursday to advance to the quarterfinals of the clay-court Estoril Open.

The top-ranked Swiss gave a more assured performance than in the first round when he dropped the opening set. Playing in occasional light drizzle, Federer conceded just 10 points in his service games to win in an hour.

"The rain really made it difficult today," Federer said.

"It's a good test so far."

Jiri Vanek of the Czech Republic beat eighth-seeded Michael Berrer of Germany 6-3, 3-6, 7-5.

In the women's event, second-seeded Russian Maria Kirilenko beat Petra Cetkovska of the Czech Republic 6-3, 6-2. Seventh-seeded Sofia Arvidsson of Sweden lost to Ukrainian Olga Savchuk 6-2, 6-2.

Federer produced two passing shots - one forehand, one backhand - on his way to breaking Hanescu's serve in the fourth game of the opening set.

The Romanian attempted to put pressure on Federer's backhand but the Swiss hit some of his best shots from that side.

Federer broke Hanescu's serve twice in the second set and made 28 unforced errors in the match - roughly half the number he made in his opening match.

Federer is beginning the European clay-court season at Estoril after failing to reach a final in four tournaments this year. He has hired coach Jose Higueras, a clay specialist, for the event in preparation for the French Open.

Results

Men

Singles

Second Round

Jiri Vanek, Czech Republic, def. Michael Berrer (8), Germany, 6-3, 3-6, 7-5.

Roger Federer (1), Switzerland, def. Victor Hanescu, Romania, 6-3, 6-2.

Denis Gremelmayr, Germany, def. Teimuraz Gabashvili, Russia, 7-6 (6), 6-1.

Joao Sousa, Portugal, vs. Frederico Gil, Portugal, 6-7 (5), 1-0, ppd., darkness.

Women

Singles

Second Round

Maria Kirilenko (2), Russia, def. Petra Cetkovska, Czech Republic, 6-3, 6-2.

Maret Ani, Estonia, def. Kirsten Flipkens, Belgium, 6-0, 6-2.

Olga Savchuk, Ukraine, def. Sofia Arvidsson (7), Sweden, 6-2, 6-2.

Tathiana Garbin (5), Italy, def. Sanda Mamic, Croatia 6-2, 6-2.

Williams, Jankovic advance at Family Circle Cup

Serena Williams advanced to the quarterfinals of the Family Circle Cup, but it wasn't easy.

Williams beat Katarina Srebotnik 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 on Thursday in a match that took more than two hours.

Defending champion Jelena Jankovic of Serbia, the top seed, had an easier time. She defeated Anastasia Rodionova of Russia 6-0, 6-2.

Second-seeded Maria Sharapova played Tatiana Perebiynis in a later match Thursday.

Family Circle Cup women's singles 3rd round matches

* 4-Elena Dementieva (Russia) beat 13-Victoria Azarenka (Belarus) 6-4 7-5

* 5-Serena Williams (U.S.) beat 12-Katarina Srebotnik (Slovenia) 4-6 6-4 6-3

1-Jelena Jankovic (Serbia) beat Anastasia Rodionova (Russia) 6-0 6-2

Alize Cornet (France) beat Sorana Cirstea (Romania) 6-1 7-5

9-Vera Zvonareva (Russia) beat 6-Marion Bartoli (France) 6-4 4-6 6-1

10-Agnes Szavay (Hungary) beat 8-Dinara Safina (Russia) 6-2 7-5

Valencia Open men's singles 2nd round results from Thursday

* Robin Haase (Netherlands) beat Marat Safin (Russia) 2-6 7-6(9) 6-4

2-Juan Monaco (Argentina) beat Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (Spain) 6-4 6-4

5-Nicolas Almagro (Spain) beat Eduardo Schwank (Argentina) 6-3

6-4

1-David Ferrer (Spain) beat Pablo Andujar (Spain) 6-3 6-4

7-Fernando Verdasco (Spain) beat Mischa Zverev (Germany) 6-4 6-2

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