Switzerland's Roger Federer at the ATP tournament in Halle, western Germany. (AFP PHOTO/DPA/MAJA HITIJ) |
HALLE, Germany: Roger Federer kept his chances of an eighth title at Halle on track when he overpowered Latvian Ernests Gulbis 6-3, 7-5 on Wednesday to breeze into the quarter-finals.
The 33-year-old, 17-time Grand Slam winner was pushed to three sets in the previous round by German hope Philipp Kohlschreiber but had fewer problems with Gulbis.
He will now meet Germany's Florian Mayer who defeated American Steve Johnson 6-3, 7-6 (7/4). Federer has reached the final of the last nine editions of the grasscourt Wimbledon tune-up, winning seven.
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