Federer towers over Karlovic, reaches quarter-finals

GOING AHEAD: Roger Federer waves to fans after defeating Ivo Karlovic in the third round at the Rome Masters.

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Stepanek knocks Federer out of Rome Masters

Roger Federer lost his sixth match of the year on Friday.

• Roddick, Blake enter Rome Masters quarter-finals
• Djokovic beats underdog but other seeds tumble

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• Stepanek knocks Federer out of Rome Masters
• Roddick, Blake enter Rome Masters quarter-finals
• Djokovic beats underdog but other seeds tumble

Keywords: tennis, rome masters

Three-time defending champion Nadal was beaten in straight sets by 2001 champion Juan Carlos Ferrero on Wednesday.

"I feel bad for Rafa," Federer said. "He's had such a great run the last few years. Now there's a chance for some other players."

Ferrero, the only former Rome winner still in the draw, was to play Stanislas Wawrinka.

Also, No. 6 Andy Roddick faced rising local favorite Simone Bolelli of Italy.

This tournament is an important clay-court tuneup for the French Open, which begins on May 25.

Federer improved his season record on clay to 11-1, with his only loss coming to Nadal in the Monte Carlo final.

Rome is one of only three Masters Series tournaments Federer has never won, with Monte Carlo and Paris the others.

He was runner-up to Felix Mantilla here in 2003 and lost a fifth-set tiebreaker to Nadal in the 2006 final.

Djokovic improved to 4-0 in his career against the 26th-ranked Andreev, who committed six double faults and made 20 unforced errors in the first set.

The match lasted 2 hours, 42 minutes.

"I hope I can recuperate physically for tomorrow," Djokovic said.