The world's top tennis trio strolled into the quarterfinals of the Miami Masters, following a two-hour afternoon rain interruption which sent Tuesday's programme well into Wednesday morning.
No. 1 Rafael Nadal lived up to expectations as the Spaniard strives for a first Miami title. The top seed entered the last eight defeating Ukrainian Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-1, 6-2 in just 59 minutes.
It was a similar outcome for second seed Novak Djokovic as he won his 21st consecutive match of the season over compatriot and Davis Cup teammate Viktor Troicki 6-3, 6-2.
Third seed Roger Federer did not get on the court until well after midnight — the latest start of his career came at 12:37 a.m. — but wasted no time in a 6-3, 6-1 hammering of Belgian Olivier Rochus lasting just 51 minutes.
The Swiss earned his efficient win in the early hours of the morning to send his 2011 record to 21-3 as he beat his good friend and long time opponent for the eighth time straight.
Meanwhile, India's Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi entered the men's doubles third round, defeating Spanish pair Marc Lopez and David Marrero 7-6(5) 6-4.
Former US Open winner Juan Martin del Potro was at a loss for words after a disappointing fourth-round ouster at the hands of American Mardy Fish 7-5, 7-6(5).
Spanish sixth seed David Ferrer beat compatriot Marcel Granollers 6-1, 6-2 and South African Kevin Anderson put out American John Isner 6-3, 7-6(4).
No. 7 Tomas Berdych battled to get past German Florian Mayer 6-3, 2-6, 7-6(4) and next plays Nadal in a re-run of the 2010 Wimbledon final.
Tsonga out
There was third-round disappointment for Jo-Wilfried Tsonga as the French 15th seed was unable to recover in his rain-interrupted match from Monday against Dolgopolov. Dolgopolov finished off the final set to post a 6-7(2), 6-4, 7-5 win and set up a date with Nadal.
In women's play, battling Kim Clijsters saved five match points to overhaul Serb Ana Ivanovic 7-6(4), 3-6, 7-6(5) to reach the quarterfinals.
German hope Andrea Petkovic began fulfilling her promise with an upset of Serbian sixth seed Jelena Jankovic 2-6, 6-2, 6-4.
Sharapova advances
Federer's match was pushed back by an almost three and a half hour marathon women's match which was won by Russia's Maria Sharapova.
Sharapova, the 16th seed, was broken 10 times and treated by a trainer after rolling her ankle as she outlasted Alexandra Dulgheru 3-6, 7-6(6), 7-6(5).
The results:
Men: Fourth round: David Ferrer bt Marcel Granollers 6-1, 6-2; Mardy Fish bt Juan Martin del Potro 7-5, 7-6(5); Tomas Berdych bt Florian Mayer 6-3, 2-6, 7-6(4); Kevin Anderson bt John Isner 6-3, 7-6(4); Rafael Nadal bt Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-1, 6-2; Novak Djokovic bt Viktor Troicki 6-3, 6-2; Gilles Simon bt Janko Tipsarevic 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-2; Roger Federer bt Olivier Rochus 6-3, 6-1. Third round: Oleksandr Dolgopolov bt Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 6-7(2), 6-4, 7-5.
Doubles:Second round: Leander Paes & Mahesh Bhupathi bt Marc Lopez & David Marrero 7-6(5) 6-4.
Women: Quarterfinals: Andrea Petkovic bt Jelena Jankovic 2-6, 6-2, 6-4; Maria Sharapova bt Alexandra Dulgheru 3-6, 7-6(6), 7-6(5).
Fourth round: Kim Clijsters bt Ana Ivanovic 7-6(4), 3-6, 7-6(5). — Agencies
