Federer cruises into Halle last eight

Seven-time winner and top seed Roger Federer defeated Ernests Gulbis in straight sets to move into the quarterfinals of the Gerry Weber Open yesterday.

Federer and Gulbis had gone to a decider in each of their last four tour meetings, winning two apiece, but Federer was a straightforward 6-3 7-5 victor in Halle, where he is defending champion.

Next in the Swiss’ sights is German Florian Mayer, who progressed with a 6-3 7-6 (7/4) win over Steve Johnson.

Third seed Tomas Berdych and eighth seed Ivo Karlovic also made safe progress and will meet in the last eight.

Berdych brushed aside Borna Coric 6-3 6-2, while Karlovic dropped a first set tie-break to wildcard Alexander Zverev before winning the next two 6-3.

Reigning champion Ana Ivanovic and 2014 Wimbledon finalist Eugenie Bouchard were high-profile losers in the second round of the Aegon Championship in Birmingham.

Ivanovic, the world No 7 and second seed, was beaten 6-4 3-6 7-6 (8/6) by Portuguese qualifier Michelle Larcher de Brito while fifth seed Bouchard was defeated 6-3 4-6 6-0 by Kristina Mladenovic.

There was another loss of star power at the tournament when former world No 1 Victoria Azarenka withdrew with a left foot injury.

She said: “It’s very disappointing for me to make this decision but don’t think it’s the best time for me to take a risk right before Wimbledon.”

Picture: Getty Images. Roger Federer during his straightforward victory in Halle yesterday over Ernests Gulbis.