Roger Federer Defeats Malek Jaziri

 

Defending champion Roger Federer reached the quarter-finals of the Gerry Weber Open after withstanding a second set fightback from Malek Jaziri. The Swiss world No 3 comfortably claimed the opening set, but trailed 3-0 in the second set before regaining command to complete a 6-3 7-5 win over his Tunisian opponent at Halle.

Federer is targeting his ninth title in his favourite warm-up tournament for Wimbledon and will next face Belgian's David Goffin in the quarters. Federer had earlier confirmed his attendance at this summer's Olympic Games and the 34-year-old showed no signs of his recent fitness problems as he calmly collected the first set but Jaziri threw caution to the wind at the start of the second set and his free-swinging approach was rewarded with a break.

The expected response from Federer was swift as he quickly closed the three-game deficit and then fashioned a second break before serving out for the win. Fifth seed Goffin had earlier advanced after Sergiy Stakhovsky retired from their second round match while trailing 4-6 7-5 2-0.