rogerfederer.com - Roger into quarters

Roger into quarters

Roger is still on track for a first title in Rome after defeating Croatian Ivo Karlovic 7-6 (4), 6-3 in his third round clash.

"It's difficult to judge against Ivo, he has an unbelievable serve, the best in the game," Roger said. "You don't play much on the baseline and you're always under pressure but I'm playing well and feeling good."

Conditions were fast on Centre Court in Rome and our champ’s 208 cm tall opponent once again served extremely well. Roger managed to fashion six break points in the first set but each one was saved by booming serves. Yet in the first set tie-break he made the breakthrough at 5-4 with a brilliant forehand return pass before a netted backhand from Karlovic handed him the set.

Roger landed a forehand on the line to finally break Karlovic's serve and take a 3-2 lead in the second set, then broke again to close out the match when the Croatian missed a volley. He next faces Czech Radek Stepanek. The head-to-head between the two is 4-1 in Roger’s favour, Roger having won the last four encounters.