Nadal, Federer win, Davenport struggles
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-05-28 09:46

Irrepressible Spaniard Rafael Nadal won his much-vaunted battle of the teenagers against local favorite Richard Gasquet in breathtaking style at the French Open Friday.

A packed Parisian center court were denied the classic they had hoped for when the 18-year-old Spaniard flexed his claycourt muscles to advance to the fourth round 6-4 6-3 6-2 in 109 minutes.

It was a performance of brutal artistry rooted meters behind the baseline and left fellow 18-year-old Gasquet -- one of only two men to beat runaway world number one Roger Federer this year -- out for the count.

Fourth seed Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts after scoring a point against France's Richard Gasquet, the number 30 seed, during their match in the third round of the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros May 27, 2005. [Reuters]

"Pressure affected us both, and I think probably, with everything that has been said, he had more pressure than me," the fourth seed said.

"And I think I played really good today, no?"

The Spaniard next plays another Frenchman, Sebastien Grosjean.

"I know that...as time goes on in the tournament, the matches will get more difficult and I could lose at any time," Nadal said.

"Winning this match does not mean that everything is done. I'm very happy with my game, but I'm very aware of the fact that I can lose any time."

Nadal's one-sided scoreline -- a 20th straight victory on clay -- outshone top seed Federer's victory over Chilean Fernando Gonzalez and underlined his status as tournament favorite.

But Federer was more than satisfied with his 7-6 7-5 6-2 win. "It's a job well done so far. I haven't lost a set," he smiled.

"Through to the fourth round...now I'm where I want to be: fit and through to the second week."

The Swiss Wimbledon and U.S. Open champion plays former champion and former top-ranked player Carlos Moya who overcame Fernando Vicente 6-4 7-6 6-7 0-6 6-4 in three hours 51 minutes for a 12th straight victory against his fellow Spaniard.

"I'm number one...I've beaten everyone...why should I fear anyone?" Federer said. "I never said I didn't feel at ease on clay. I haven't lost a set yet...what's the problem?"

Women's top seed Lindsay Davenport had less of an easy time of it in sweltering conditions, finally outlasting French darling Virginie Razzano to reach the fourth round of the claycourt grand slam.

SHUFFLED HOME

The world number one shuffled home 7-5 4-6 6-4 to set up a fourth round clash with twice French Open runner-up and former world number one Kim Clijsters -- a player she has not beaten in their last six matches.

Once again Davenport, chasing the only grand slam to have eluded her, was forced to triumph the hard way, fighting back from 4-0 down in the first set and 3-0 down in the second.

"Every match has gone three sets. I've struggled in all of them," Davenport said. "But I'm starting to think that it could be one of my...greatest achievements in a while just to be able to still be here and still be playing.

"I'm pretty amazed I'm still in given how I feel I've been playing. Gives me a laugh, I guess...gets me happy," she grinned.

Davenport is unlikely to have much time for laughing when she faces Clijsters Sunday.

"She is a great player and gives me all sorts of trouble the way she plays," Davenport said. "Look at her past matches and I'd say she should be the favorite."

Herself a former world number one, Clijsters's performance belied fears she is still hampered by a knee injury as she romped past Daniela Hantuchova 6-4 6-2.

The Belgian, runner-up here in 2001 and 2003, has lost just 10 games in her three matches so far.

"I'm working my way into my matches, and I'm winning them," Clijsters said. "I feel like every match is getting a little bit better. I haven't lost a set yet, so I'm not complaining.

"But I'll definitely have to still raise my game a lot more if I want to keep winning."

The Belgian said her knee, which was again heavily taped, was feeling better.

"I think it's good," she smiled. "It's holding up during my matches but it's still not good enough to play without the tape, especially not on this surface yet."

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