Ancic knocks out fifth seed Ferrer as Safin also reaches last 16

Published on 28/06/2008 01:24

FORMER semi-finalist Mario Ancic sent another seed packing from the tournament when he beat No 5 David Ferrer 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (5-7), 7-6 (7-3) in the final match on Centre Court last night.

The Croatian made the last four in 2004 and the quarter-finals in 2006 but missed Wimbledon last year with glandular fever. He also broke a small bone in his shoulder late last year and sat out January's Australian Open with a stomach virus.

He said: "I was looking forward to playing on Centre Court. That was my dream. I'm so, so happy I'm back again."

Marat Safin progressed to the last 16 with a 7-6 (7-5), 3-6, 7-6 (7-3), 6-4 victory over 29th seed Andreas Seppi of Italy. The Russian, who knocked out Novak Djokovic in straight sets on Wednesday, hit some fabulous returns to go with some fearsome 130mph-plus serves.

Safin gained the mini-break in the tie-break to go 4-3 up, riding his luck with a net cord. The second set went Seppi's way after two consecutive breaks took him to 3-1 up, and a double-fault enabled the Italian to make it 5-1. Safin broke back but Seppi was able to serve out for the set.

The third went Safin's way in the tie-break again as his huge serve began to give him the edge as the light faded. Seppi fought gamely as the crowd got behind Safin but the break in the third game proved crucial.

The Russian now faces Stanislas Wawrinka, the Swiss 13th seed going through when German opponent Mischa Zverev retired hurt after losing the first two sets.

Safin told the BBC: "I was getting really nervous because I thought we might have to come back tomorrow. It was a good match and we both played well. It was great tennis also and I hope the fans enjoyed it."

American interest in the men's draw ended when Bobby Reynolds bowed out following a 6-4, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4 defeat by Spain's Feliciano Lopez. After the shock exits of sixth seed Andy Roddick, twice a runner-up here, and ninth seed James Blake in the second round on Thursday, the 102nd-ranked Reynolds had been left as the sole American survivor.

American men have now not won a grand slam title for 19 consecutive tournaments. Roddick's victory at the 2003 US Open was their last success.

Reynolds' defeat marked the third time since tennis turned professional in 1968 that no American men had reached the fourth round. The other two occasions were in 2002 and 2006.