Ljubicic upsets Davydenko at French Open

Ivan Ljubicic rallied from two sets down to shock fourth-seeded Nikolay Davydenko, 4-6, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4, in the third round Saturday at the French Open.

While Davydenko became the highest seed to lose, world No. 1 Roger Federer remained on course to win the career Grand Slam as he rolled into the fourth round with a 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 triumph over Mario Ancic.

A two-time semifinalist at this claycourt Grand Slam, Davydenko looked like he was poised to reach the next round before the 28th-seeded Croatian found his game.

Ljubicic has enjoyed success in the past at Roland Garros, reaching the semis in 2006 where he lost to claycourt king Rafael Nadal.

In the fourth round, Ljubicic will face Frenchman Gael Monfils, a 4-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-0, 6-2 winner over Jurgen Melzer.
Attempting to claim his 13th major title and first at this Parisian major, Federer dominated against Ancic, losing just 15 games on his serve. The Swiss superstar next will face either Julien Benneteau or Robin Soderling.

Fifth-seeded David Ferrer advanced to the fourth round with a marathon 6-2, 3-6, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory over Lleyton Hewitt.

Advancing past the third round for the second time in six tries, Ferrer rallied from a set down in the match that lasted 3 hours, 35 minutes.

Ferrer, who capitalized on an astounding 55 unforced errors by Hewitt, next will face Radek Stepanek.

Stepanek pulled off a mild surprise Saturday, cruising into the fourth round with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-1 victory over 12th-seeded Tommy Robredo. The 21st-seeded Czech had never been past the third round in five previous tries.

“I am definitely feeling comfortable on clay, although I believe I can play good tennis on any surface,” said Stepanek, who has lost just one set in his first three matches. “I don’t think there are many players left with a style like I’m playing.

“I believe I can play everything, from the back, at the net, serve and volley. I can mix up my game.”

It was a disappointing effort for Robredo, a three-time quarterfinalist at Roland Garros. The Spaniard was broken six times while his Czech opponent held serve throughout.

“I was so aggressive from the first point (against Robredo) and I didn’t let him do much,” Stepanek said.

Robby Ginepri became the first American man to reach the fourth round since Andre Agassi in 2003 as he ousted Frenchman Florent Serra, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.

Ranked just 88th in the world, Ginepri has put together a run considered as a major surprise, especially since he had lost in the first round in each of his previous five appearances at the claycourt Grand Slam.

Ginepri also was just 6-24 on his clay in his career entering this year’s event. He next will face No. 24 Fernando Gonzalez of Chile.

Gonzalez, a quarterfinalist here in 2003, rallied for a 5-7, 2-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 victory over ninth-seeded Stanislas Wawrinka.

Wawrinka, who has enjoyed a stellar year, squandered a 3-0 lead in the third set.

Top-seeded Roger Federer won his first set, 6-3, in his third-round match with Mario Ancic.

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