Federer too strong for Benneteau

Julien Benneteau was unable to repeat his previous heroics against Roger Federer as the third seed reached the fourth round at Roland Garros without dropping a set.

The pair had met six times before with Benneteau winning twice, including indoors in Paris in 2009 and earlier this year in Rotterdam. Benneteau also memorably led Federer by two sets to love in the third round of Wimbledon last year only for the eventual champion to fight back and win in five.

It looked like more drama could be in the offing when Benneteau broke serve in the first game but Federer won six of the next seven games to take the opening set and went on to win 6-3 6-4 7-5 in an hour and 31 minutes.

Benneteau, the 30th seed, at least provided a decent challenge, with Federer having dropped only 11 games in his first two matches combined.

The Frenchman also produced the shot of the match with a reaction volley played with his hand around his back at the start of the third set. It won him the point with a presumably surprised Federer promptly netting the next shot.

The Swiss has had only a moderate season so far, taking plenty of time off and reaching his only final in Rome two weeks ago, where he was demolished by Rafael Nadal.