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MIAMI - World tennis No 1 Roger Federer moved closer to a Sony Ericsson hat-trick here today, easing into the fourth round of the Masters Series event with 7-5 6-3 win over Spain's Nicolas Almagro.
In women's play, second seed Justine Henin was also in supreme form cruising into the quarterfinals with a 6-3 6-2 win over Russia's Vera Zvonareva.
However her Belgian compatriot and fourth seed Kim Clijsters, who will retire before the end of season, said goodbye to her US fans with 4-6 6-4 6-2 loss to China's Li Na.
Federer, bidding to bounce back from a shock second round loss at Indian Wells and become the first player since Andre Agassi to win three consecutive titles in Miami, never hit top gear against Almagro as he improved his season record to 14-1.
Almagro kept the Swiss at bay through a close opening set that had looked headed for tie-break until he double-faulted while serving at 6-5 to hand Federer the break and a 1-0 lead.
The Spaniard marched angrily towards his seat, slamming his racquet onto the court and was never again a threat as Federer recorded the early break in the second on way to a commanding 4-1 advantage.
"I had to be very concentrated because I knew he is big hitter and I'm still looking to come back into my rhythm after not having many matches the last few week," Federer said.
"If I look at the match, I feel it was a pretty good match."
American qualifier Amer Delic posted the day's biggest upset when he stopped fourth seeded Russian Nikolay Davydenko 7-6 6-3 to claim the first top 10 scalp of his career.
Sixth seed Tommy Robredo of Spain was a comfortable 6-4 6-4 winner over Germany's Florian Mayer.
Henin's victory guarantees she will hold onto top spot in the world rankings for another week.
Maria Sharapova, who lost the No 1 ranking to Henin last week, had a chance to return to the top in Miami but needed to have the Belgian lose before reaching the final eight.
Henin needed 84 minutes on a blustery Stadium court to dispose of the 18th seeded Zvonareva and is now approaching uncharted territory having never before advanced past the quarterfinals in five previous appearances at the Ericsson.
The world No 1, however, may be finally ready to clear that hurdle.
After missing the early part of the season for personal reasons, Henin has been quick to find her stride posting a 13-1 record in reaching the semifinals at the Paris indoors followed by back-to-back titles in Dubai and Doha.
Next up for Henin is sixth seed Nadia Petrova who rallied past her 10th seeded Russian compatriot Dinara Safina 3-6 6-2 6-4.
- REUTERS