Federer fights for win, Djokovic cruises

Halle, June 21

Roger Federer kept his quest for a 10th Halle grasscourt title alive by saving two match points to defeat France's Benoit Paire 6-3 3-6 7-6 (9/7) and make the quarterfinals.

Federer will face Australia's Matthew Ebden, who defeated Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber 4-6 6-1 6-2 for a place in the semifinals. It was a tough fight on Thursday, however, with the 36-year-old missing two match points in the final-set tiebreak and then saving two for Paire. The top seed finally won on his third match point when Paire returned long. 

Djokovic thrashes Dimitrov

Novak Djokovic issued a statement of intent as he thrashed second seed Grigor Dimitrov to reach the quarterfinals. The unseeded 12-time Grand Slam champion produced a clinical display to win 6-4 6-1 and claim his first victory over a top-10 opponent since last May. 

Muguruza falls short, Kvitova in quarters

Birmingham: Garbine Muguruza suffered a 6-2 6-4 defeat at the hands of Barbora Strycova in the second round of the Nature Valley Classic in Birmingham. Petra Kvitova continued her impressive grasscourt form after overpowering Daria Gavrilova 6-2 6-2 to book a spot in the quarterfinals. Kvitova broke early in the first set and hit some powerful backhands and strong returns to wrap up the contest in one hour and 18 minutes. — Agencies