• Cincinnati Masters

Nadal limps past Julien Benneteau

Rafael Nadal was far from convincing but dug in to claim victory © Getty Images

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Murray aiming to bring down Fish
  
• News: Murray toils to victory over Gulbis
  
• News: Nadal shows his class to overcome dangerman Dent
  
• Profile: Novak Djokovic | Mardy Fish | Richard Gasquet | Ernests Gulbis | Rafael Nadal | David Nalbandian

Rafael Nadal demonstrated the hallmarks of a champion as he battled back from a set and a break down to beat Julien Benneteau 5-7 7-6(6) 6-2 to reach the quarter finals of the Cincinnati Masters.

The world No. 1 is not at home on the hard courts of the United States and struggled to combat the power hitting of his French opponent for much of the match. Nadal also required treatment for blisters as he stared defeat in the face, but he dug in to claim a second-set tiebreak and broke the resolve of his opponent and cruised through the final set.

The US Open is the only grand slam missing from Nadal's CV and he is limbering up for Flushing Meadows in just over a week's time. He was beaten by Andy Murray in the semi-finals in Toronto last week and looked destined for a third-round exit in Cincinnati as Benneteau showed great quality to claim the opening set.

Nadal dug in during the second set but for long spells looked like he was heading for a straight-sets defeat as Benneteau moved him around the back of the court at will. However, the Frenchman was unable to close out the match and Nadal seized the initiative in the second-set tiebreak to level the match.

Both players required treatment at the start of the final set, Nadal for blisters and Benneteau for cramp, and it was the Spaniard who showed the greater desire as he raced into a 3-0 lead.

Benneteau saved some face by breaking but it proved only a brief respite as he was a spent force and Nadal wrapped up victory after two-and-three-quarter hours of play.

Nadal will now face Marcos Baghdatis after the Cypriot pulled off another upset to beat seventh seed Tomas Berdych. Baghdatis, who stunned 11th seed Marin Cilic in the first round, was rewarded for a 7-5 6-4 win with a quarter-final spot against the world No. 1.

Roger Federer is through to the quarter-finals having yet to complete a set of tennis after Philipp Kohlschreiber pulled out of their match through injury. Federer led his first match 5-2 when Denis Istomin retired hurt. Federer will next play sixth seed Nikolay Davydenko, who came through a tough three-setter 4-6 6-3 7-5 against tenth seed David Ferrer.

Second seed Novak Djokovic came through a potential tricky tie against the in-form David Nalbandian. Nalbandian, who won his first title in 18 months in Washington a fortnight ago, had already progressed past No. 15 seed Ivan Ljubicic and John Isner (by virtue of the American's retirement), but he was outclassed by a supremely confident Djokovic, who grabbed a 4-0 lead before the Argentine could respond.

Djokovic will now meet Andy Roddick after the fiery American won an absolute epic against fifth seed Robin Soderling 6-4 6-7(7) 7-6(5). Roddick was frustrated with the umpire for a number of decisions throughout the match and let loose with a trademark verbal volley or two, including "are you trying to piss me off" when the umpire rejected his complaint about Soderling's belated challenge call.

The match took on a typical Roddick shape, with serves dominating at both ends thanks to his powerful delivery and limited returning ability. Soderling could only fashion one break point in the entire match, one he took in the second set. Otherwise Roddick ticked over his service games and got a solitary break in the first set to claim it outright, another in the second set to force a tie-break. There were no breaks in the final set but Roddick ultimately came through the deciding tie-break to claim a near three-hour match in which he dished up 26 aces.

Mardy Fish set up a quarter-final clash with fourth seed Andy Murray, after the American eased past Richard Gasquet. Fish, who has climbed from outside the top 100 to No. 36 in the world since March, has beaten Murray in both their previous meetings this season. Murray meanwhile, recovered from losing the first set to beat Ernests Gulbis in a third-set tie-breaker.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.