Federer through but Davydenko crashes

(CNN) -- Roger Federer reached the last 16 of the French Open in Paris with a polished 6-3 6-4 6-2 victory over close friend Mario Ancic.

The world number one completed his 90-minute win shortly after his potential semifinal opponent, fourth seed Nikolay Davydenko, had crashed out to Croatian Ivan Ljubicic after holding a two-set lead.

Spanish fifth seed David Ferrer wore down Lleyton Hewitt in a grueling five-setter and Robby Ginepri became the first U.S. man to reach the fourth round of the French Open since Andre Agassi in 2003.

Ancic, from Croatia, was the last man to beat Federer at Wimbledon in 2002, but has their five subsequent meetings.

The Swiss will play France's Julien Benneteau, a 1-6 7-6 6-0 6-1 winner over Robin Soderling of Sweden, for a place in the quarterfinals.

Federer, who needs a Roland Garros title to complete a career Grand Slam, had no problems against the 24-year-old Ancic, who missed six months of the 2007 season with glandular fever.

He broke in the fourth game of the first set and wrapped up the opener with an ace in the ninth game.

In the second set the break came in the seventh game and in the third set Federer broke in the first game.

Federer served two love service games on his way to a 3-1 lead and broke again to go 4-1 in the third as Ancic struggled in vain to stem the free-flowing hitting of the top seed.

The pair exchanged a break apiece to leave Federer 5-2 up before the Swiss claimed victory when Ancic went long with a return.

"I'm happy with the way I'm playing. I haven't lost much energy in the first week and I'm happy to get through and to give myself an opportunity," said Federer.

"I'm happy to be in the fourth round and to be the favourite."

Fourth seed Davydenko looked in control against No. 28 Ljubicic before slumping to a 4-6 2-6 6-3 6-2 6-4 loss.

Davydenko was well on top in the first two sets, although the protracted opener extended to 43 minutes. Ljubicic did not win a single break point and looked uncomfortable on the clay.

Davydenko broke to love in the first game of the second set and romped into a 5-1 lead. He took the set and looked to be on his way to round four.

There were three consecutive breaks of serve in the third set and Ljubicic and took it as Davydenko suffered his first loss of a set in the tournament.

Ljubicic broke early in set four as he went on to square the match and he also broke first in the decider before pulling off a remarkable upset.

"First two sets he didn't play," the fourth-seeded Davydenko said. "Then he start to fighting a little bit more. ... That's why I was starting to be nervous, start to make so many mistakes."

"It wasn't physically demanding," Ljubicic said. "It was more technically mentally demanding, because he was playing unbelievable first two sets, and he slowed down a little bit in the third. I smelled the blood, and I said, 'Well now, let's try to hang in here."'

Davydenko, who beat former Grand Slam champions Thomas Johansson and Marat Safin in the first two rounds, was considered a likely semifinal opponent for top-ranked Federer. Instead, he was left with the feeling of "losing very fast" despite playing five sets.

"I try come back in the fifth set," he said. "But, you know, it was too late."

No. 5 David Ferrer won a seesaw marathon against No. 25 Lleyton Hewitt, still suffering hip problems, 6-2 3-6 3-6 6-3 6-4.

No. 21 Radek Stepanek beat No. 12 Tommy Robredo 6-3, 6-2, 6-1.

Ginepri extended his improbable run by beating Frenchman Florent Serra 6-4 6-4 6-4.

"I would definitely like to have a lot of the other Americans still in the tournament," Ginepri said. "I'm really not trying to let that weigh on my shoulders."

Ranked 88th, Ginepri was steadier than Serra, losing serve just once and committing only 18 unforced errors to 43 for the Frenchman. Ginepri said he has benefited from the coaching of Jose Higueras and Diego Moyano.

"Talking with both of them has really opened up another door with me on the clay court," Ginepri said. "Before I really had no clue how to construct points or what type of shots to hit when I was in trouble or how to serve, what sets up what.

" So with them having a lot of experience and just with me listening constantly, it's just started being engraved into my mind."

Ginepri will next play No. 24 Fernando Gonzalez, who outlasted No. 9 Stanislas Wawrinka 5-7 2-6 6-4 6-4 6-4.

The fourth round line-up

Roger Federer (Swi) (1) v Julien Benneteau (Fra)

Fernando Gonzalez (Chl) (24) v Robby Ginepri (USA)

Ivan Ljubicic (Cro( (28) v Gael Monfils (Fra)

Radek Stepanek (Cz) (21) v David Ferrer (Sp) (5)

Ernests Gulbis (Lat) v Michael Llodra (Fra)

Paul-Henri Mathieu (Fra) (18) v Novak Djokovic (Srb) (3)

Jeremy Chardy (Fra) v Nicolas Almagro (Sp) (19)

Fernando Verdasco (Sp) (22) v Rafael Nadal (Sp) (2)