FED IN FOURTH ROUND

 

Ginepri, the last American man or woman playing singles in this year's tournament, beat Florent Serra of France 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 Saturday.

Roger Federer, meanwhile, is gaining momentum in his bid to win that elusive French Open title.

The top-ranked Swiss beat Mario Ancic 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 Saturday to reach the fourth round at Roland Garros for the sixth time. It's the only Grand Slam tournament he has yet to win.

Federer struggled at times in the first two rounds, but quickly seized control against Ancic. Federer won all but 15 of the 71 points on his serve and was broken only once. He totaled 22 winners and had only 15 unforced errors.

Ancic is the last player to beat Federer at Wimbledon — in 2002 — but has lost their past five meetings.

Federer will next play unseeded Frenchman Julien Benneteau, who beat Robin Soderling 1-6, 7-6 (6), 6-0, 6-1, then threw his shirt and shoes to the jubilant crowd.

No. 4 Nikolay Davydenko blew a big lead and lost to No. 28 Ivan Ljubicic 4-6, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4. No. 5 David Ferrer won a seesaw marathon against No. 25 Lleyton Hewitt, 6-2, 3-6, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. No. 21 Radek Stepanek beat No. 12 Tommy Robredo 6-3, 6-2, 6-1.

Ginepri will next play No. 24 Fernando Gonzalez, who outlasted No. 9 Stanislas Wawrinka 5-7, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.