Middle-weekend notebook: Americans, Murray fall

American men leave Paris

Andy Roddick lost to qualifier Teimuraz Gabashvili of Russia, 6-4, 6-4, 6-2, in the third round on Saturday.

Robby Ginepri defeated former French Open champion and former world No. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero before losing in the fourth round to Novak Djokovic.

Nadal, Federer charge through
Rafael Nadal took out Lleyton Hewitt, 6-3, 6-4, 6-3, in the third round and Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil, 6-2, 7-5, 6-4, in the fourth. Federer defeated his Olympic doubles partner and friend Stanislas Wawrinka, 6-3, 7-6 (5), 6-2, in the fourth round to set up a quarterfinal clash that will repeat his 2009 final with Robin Soderling.

The 29-year-old Austrian Jurgen Melzer dismissed clay-court specialist David Ferrer in straight sets, 6-4, 6-0, 7-6 (1), Saturday to earn his first fourth-round appearance at a Grand Slam. Monday, he took out Gabashvili in the fourth round to set up a quarterfinal match against Novak Djokovic.

Upset of the men's tournament (so far)

Thomas Berdych def. Andy Murray 6-4, 7-5, 6-3

The 24-year-old Czech who is famous for having beaten Roger Federer in the second round of the 2004 Olympics, hasn't dropped a set in the whole tournament. He took out American John Isner in the third round Friday (6-2, 6-2, 6-1) before his win against Murray on Sunday. His upcoming match against Mikhail Youzhny will be his second quarterfinal ever in a Grand Slam (his first was Wimbledon 2007).


Women

Justin Henin clashes with Maria Sharapova

Henin won the first set in the match that started Saturday, but Sharapova rallied back in the second with her consistent ground strokes. After that, the match was delayed due to darkness and continued Sunday morning. Sharapova lost the third set, falling in the only Grand Slam she hasn't won, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3.

Nadia Petrova dismissed French hopeful Aravane Rezai, 6-7 (2), 6-4, 10-8, Saturday, to earn a spot in the fourth round.

Upset of the women's tournament (so far)

Nadia Petrova def. Venus Williams 6-4, 6-3.

Sunday was the last day fans could see the black and red, lingerie-like dress Venus wore at Roland Garros -- unless she brings it out in other tournaments. The No. 2 seed, who had never won a singles title at the French, couldn't keep up with Petrova, who earned a spot in the quarterfinals. Petrova hasn't made it past the third round since 2005 when she was a semifinalist. Petrova will have to beat fellow Russian Elena Dementieva to make it to her third semifinal at the French.