• Cincinnati Masters

Nadal shows his class to overcome dangerman Dent

Rafael Nadal had too much class for Taylor Dent at the Cincinnati Masters © Getty Images

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• Profile: Nikolay Davydenko | Novak Djokovic | Roger Federer | David Ferrer | Mardy Fish | Richard Gasquet | Ernests Gulbis | Lleyton Hewitt | John Isner | Rafael Nadal | David Nalbandian | Sam Querrey | Andy Roddick | Robin Soderling | Fernando Verdasco | Stanislas Wawrinka

Rafael Nadal shrugged off the threat of big-serving American Taylor Dent with ease to power into the third round of the Cincinnati Masters.

The world No. 1, who was dumped out of the Rogers Cup by Andy Murray last week, had far too much artillery for Dent and, after racing through the first set, the Spaniard took a tight second to prevail 6-2 7-5.

Nadal's victory ensured his incredible season continued and keeps him on track to claim a sixth title of the year.

Serbia's Novak Djokovic overcame compatriot Viktor Troicki 6-3 7-5 - with the second seed ruthless when it came to converting his break point opportunities.

In the first sense he was immense, winning 90 per cent of points on his first serve while earning a single break. And despite his opponent breaking him twice in the second, Djokovic did enough to progress.

Roger Federer was leading 5-2 in the first set when Denis Istomin retired hurt. Istomin reached his right foot back to push forward and instantly felt a twinge or snap, dropping to the court. He received treatment and had his ankle strapped but he could only limp up the tunnel, giving the third seed a free run to the third round.

Fifth seed Robin Soderling met with typically dogged resistance from Australian Lleyton Hewitt, but the Swede battled hard to earn a 4-6 6-3 7-5 come-from-behind win, his first victory in four attempts against Hewitt. Soderling sent down 15 aces for just one double fault to help edge things in his favour.

And Nikolay Davydenko made it six out of six for the top seeds on Wednesday by grinding it out 6-2 6-7 6-2 against Robby Ginepri.

Andy Roddick didn't disappoint the American audience, edging out giant Dutchman Thiemo de Bakker in a serve-fest. Roddick conceded just 12 points on serve and De Bakker couldn't create any break point openings as Roddick won 7-6 6-4.

Tenth seed David Ferrer got the better of America's Sam Querrey, cruising through 7-5 6-2. Querrey had his chances in the match but he failed to make any of his five break points count and, consequently, he was made to pay by Ferrer.

Julien Benneteau had no problems getting past Stanislas Wawrinka, while Richard Gasquet beat Germany's Michael Berrer 6-4 6-2.

Philip Kohlschreiber was made to fight hard by Alejandro Falla to earn his place in the next round. The German appeared in cruise control after inflicting a bagel on Falla in the first set. But Falla responded with some sublime tennis to take the second before Kohlschreiber rallied to clinch the decider 6-3.

Wildcard Mardy Fish caused a shock by beating eighth seed Fernando Verdasco. Two tie-breaks were needed but Fish prevailed to take a major scalp. Ernests Gulbis came from a set down to beat Jurgen Melzer.

There was disappointment for Wimbledon marathon man John Isner after he was forced to retire in his match with David Nalbandian. Isner was leading 5-4 but twisted his right ankle to make him a serious doubt for the US Open.

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