Third round results

Rogers Masters Cup – Toronto
With Nikolay Davydenko and David Ferrer crashing out in the third round, only two top 5 players remain going into the quarterfinals of the Rogers Masters. Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal eased through the third round to secure slots in the last 8. If the no.2 and 3 seeds make it past the next round, they are set to have a semifinal clash which is sure to be exciting as most of their recent matches have been. After Roger Federer’s shocking second round loss, the top half of the draw does not seem to have a challenger capable of taking down either one of the two. Then again, it also didn’t seem like Federer would lose to anyone from his draw but he did anyway. James Blake, the no. 7 seed, is the highest ranking player in the top half following the loss of fellow American, Andy Roddick, yesterday.

[3] Novak DJOKOVIC (SRB) d. Robin SODERLING (SWE) 6-4, 6-4
Defending champion Djokovic moves steadily into the quarterfinals with a straight sets victory over the Soderling. The hard-hitting Swede had several break point opportunities but was unable to convert any of it.

[2] Rafael NADAL (ESP) d. Igor ANDREEV (RUS) 6-2, 7-6(1)
Who would have expected this match to last just under 2 hours when Andreev provided an injury-scare in the opening game? Hampered by an ankle problem, Nadal easily cruised through the first set 6-2. The second set proved more competitive as both players were able to hold serve to force a tie-break. The Russian, however, could not keep up with the relentless Spaniard winning only a single point.

Nicolas Kiefer (GER) d. [4] Nikolay DAVYDENKO (RUS) 4-6, 6-4, 6-4
Down a set and 3-1 in the second set, Davydenko almost looked certain to land into the quarterfinals. Kiefer fought back hard to cut the Russian’s lead and force a third set decider. Keeping his momentum, the German veteran was able to knock-out the no. 4 seed.

[10] Richard GASQUET (ESP) d. [5] David FERRER (ESP)
Gasquet, the 2005 finalist, cruises into the last eight beating the no. 5 seed Ferrer in straight sets.

Scheduled matches (Quarterfinals):
Gilles SIMON (FRA) vs. Marin CILIC (CRO)
Nicolas KIEFER (GER) vs. [7] James BLAKE (USA)
[3] Novak DJOKOVIC (SRB) vs. [8] Andy MURRAY (GBR)
[2] Rafael NADAL (ESP) vs. [10] Richard GASQUET (FRA)

East West Bank Classic – Los Angeles
[1] Jelena JANKOVIC (SRB) d. Melinda CZINK (HUN) 6-3, 6-2
Jankovic moved one easy step closer into her second title of the year and the world no.1 ranking. After the retirement of former world no. 1 Justine Henin in May, the WTA has been criticized by the inconsistency of its players. This ‘problem’ was especially glaring at Wimbledon when the top 4 players crashed out before the quarterfinals, a first in the open era. If Jankovic becomes the no. 1, she would have done so without even winning a grand slam or even reaching the finals.