July 02, 2007	Monday	Jamadi-us-Sani 16, 1428

LONDON, July 1: Four-time champion Roger Federer of Switzerland was on Sunday handed a bye to the quarter-finals of Wimbledon when fourth-round opponent Tommy Haas was forced to pull out through injury.

Haas, the 13th seed, suffered a torn abdominal muscle in his four-set victory over Russian Dmitry Tursunov in the third round at the All England Club.

World No 1 Federer will play the winner of the match between Spain's Juan Carlos Ferrero and Serb Janko Tipsarevic in the last eight as he bids for a fifth straight Wimbledon title, equalling the modern-day record of Bjorn Borg.

“I felt it in my previous match,” Haas explained.

“I'm just going to go home now and get this thing under control. I will follow the rest of the tournament on TV.

“I wish I could have been on Centre Court but it's not to be. The way I was playing I think I'm one of the guys who could have been dangerous for Roger. It would have been a nice opportunity.”

This was Haas' first tournament since retiring in the opening round of the Masters Series event in Rome in May with a shoulder injury.

The 29-year-old has been plagued by injury problems, missing Wimbledon in 2002 and the whole of 2003 with shoulder injuries.

Meanwhile, Daniela Hantuchova will want to settle an old score against Serena Williams on Monday.

The last time the slender Slovakian met Williams at Wimbledon, she managed to win just five games as her elegant strokeplay was blunted by the fierce power of the American.

Five years on from that quarter-final drubbing, Hantuchova feels she is better equipped to deal with Williams and will no longer be cowed by her opponent's reputation.

“I think I need to step up my game to beat her but I'm looking forward to the match. I think I've got a good chance,” said 10th seed Hantuchova, who has worked her way back among the elite after spending years in tennis wilderness.

“I'm starting to feel very good on grass and I just can't wait to be on the court again.”

Many feel the match will serve as a dress rehearsal for the contest fans really want to see, a repeat of the French Open quarter-final between Williams and world No 1 Justine Henin.

The American holds an overall 5-1 advantage over Hantuchova but Williams, champion here in 2002 and 2003, is not being complacent.

“I know it's definitely going to be a tough match,” said Williams, who won her eighth Grand Slam crown at the Australian Open in January.

“Daniela is serving well, moving well. She's really fit. I'm serving well, I'm moving well, and I'm really fit. It's going to be exciting.”

Williams started off the tournament rating her first-round win a “two out of 10” but after shaking off a hamstring strain she is more confident about her chances.

“My hamstring is a lot better, which I'm really excited about. It's the first time it's felt this good. So it's just, you know, all coming together.

“I'm playing really well. I'm feeling really good. I'm feeling really positive. I'm feeling like I'm going to get there.

“This is one of my favourite tournaments and I couldn't be more ready to compete.”

—Agencies