HAMBURG, Germany — Top-seeded Roger Federer cruised past Czech qualifier Jan Hajek 6-4, 6-3 Thursday to reach the German Tennis Championships quarterfinals.
The four-time Hamburg champion is playing his first tournament since losing in the second round of Wimbledon.
Federer won only three of 13 break points and needed six match points to close out the match.
He produced a spectacular overhead smash winner with a flick of the wrist while stepping back in the final game.
Second-seeded Tommy Haas also advanced by beating Carlos Berlocq of Argentina 6-2, 6-4.
The German led 5-2 in the second set but dropped serve. He then wasted two match points on Berlocq's serve before using his fourth to close out the second-round match, hitting a cross-court forehand winner.
