Melbourne, Jan 22 (IANS) Roger Federer beat host-favourite teenager Bernard Tomic while Rafael Nadal defeated Spanish teammate Feliciano Lopez to enter the men’s singles quarterfinals of the Australian Open tennis tournament here.
The third-seed from Switzerland taught Tomic a good lesson in tennis, beating him 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 in the fourth round Sunday to set up an exciting last eight clash with Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro. The 11th seed eased past Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-4, 6-2, 6-1.
Federer and Nadal got a step closer to a mouthwatering semifinal after the Spaniard dispatched Lopez 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 in another round of 16 contest. The number two seed next plays Czech Republic’s Thomas Berdych, who had to fight hard for a 4-6, 7-6, 7-6, 7-6 win against Spain’s Nicolas Almagro.
Defending champion Kim Clijsters saved four match points in the second set to register a 4-6, 7-6, 6-4 over China’s Li Na in the women’s singles fourth round.
The Belgian next plays World Number One Caroline Wozniacki in the quarterfinals. The Dane beat Serbia’s Jelena Jankovic 6-0, 7-5 in a late night match at Melbourne Park.
