FEDERER

MONTE CARLO (AP):

ROGER FEDERER eased past Lee Hyung-taik 6-4, 6-3 yesterday in the third round of the Monte Carlo Masters.

Federer, who has reached the quarter-finals at Monte Carlo three straight times, set up match point with a serve-and-volley winner and then earned the victory when Lee hit a powerful backhand long.

"I think it was an average match from my side," Federer said.

Lee broke the top-ranked Swiss star in the third game of the first set, but Federer broke back in the fourth and took control after that.

"Maybe it was just my timing in the beginning," Federer said. "I was just shanking a lot of the balls and not able to keep the ball in play. Once I was able to do that I was in total control. So I never felt worried too much today."

10-time champion

Federer, a 10-time Grand Slam champion, lost last year to Rafael Nadal in the final at both the Monte Carlo Masters and the French Open - the only major Federer has not won.

Federer next plays 12th-seeded David Ferrer of Spain, who has never won a set against Federer in five losses. Ferrer recovered from 4-1 down in the first set to beat No. 6 Novak Djokovic of Serbia 7-5, 6-4.

"He's an excellent player, especially on clay," Federer said. "This is where he's got the most confidence, so it's going to be difficult to beat him here. Having not lost a set doesn't mean much."

Yesterday's match against Lee was played under cloudy skies, but Federer beat Andreas Seppi on Tuesday, in bright sunshine.

"I had a really quick court (for) the first match and a really slow court the second match," Federer said. "It's really good (that) I played in both conditions so I'm ready for anything."

Also yesterday, Tomas Berdych rallied to beat No. 5 Tommy Robredo 1-6, 6-3, 6-2.

The 10th-seeded Czech, whose previous best at Monte Carlo was reaching the second round, will face Robin Soderling, in today's quarter-finals.