French Open

WHO WON

Roger Federer, Switzerland (1) -- defeated 46th-ranked Mario Ancic, Croatia, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2. Something about Ancic’s game helped Federer display the full array of his shots.

Maria Sharapova, Russia (1) -- defeated 40th-ranked Karin Knapp, Italy, 7-6 (4), 6-0. Having struggled through three-set matches in the first two rounds, Sharapova said it was as if her twin had played in her place. It was in the second set of the third round when the real Maria arrived. Curiously, the twin had grunted just as loudly.

Robby Ginepri, U.S. (88) -- defeated 94th-ranked Florent Serra, France, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4. An American male will play in the second week of the French Open. Amazing.

Those French guys -- Five have reached the round of 16: Paul-Henri Mathieu (19), Michael Llodra (41), Julien Benneteau (55), Gael Monfils (59) and Jeremy Chardy (145). If this continues, some of the French spectators might even arrive at the matches on time.

Those Russian women -- In the round of 16, Sharapova will play fellow Russian Dinara Safina (14), with the winner playing a quarterfinal against the winner of the match between Russians Vera Zvonareva (12) and Elena Dementieva (8), with the winner of that possibly playing Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova (4).

WHO LOST

Nikolay Davydenko, Russia (4) -- to 30th-ranked Ivan Ljubicic, Croatia, 4-6, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4. Davydenko, a stout challenger to Federer in a 2007 French semifinal, grabbed that quick two-set lead because it seemed Ljubicic didn’t try very hard. But then Ljubicic roared back to make Davydenko the highest-seeded player in either singles draw to fall thus far.

Lleyton Hewitt, Australia (28) -- to fifth-ranked David Ferrer, Spain, 6-2, 3-6, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. They figured to have a scrap. They pretty much did.

TODAY’S MATCHES TO WATCH

Rafael Nadal, Spain (2), vs. Fernando Verdasco, Spain (23) -- If you had a bet that Nadal would face four consecutive left-handers to start his fourth French Open . . . well, you’re probably betting a bit too much.

Ana Ivanovic, Serbia (2), vs. Petra Cetkovska, Czech Republic (77) -- Quietly, the 2007 finalist keeps marching on through.

Mathieu, France (19), vs. Novak Djokovic, Serbia (3) -- With the highest-ranked of five remaining Frenchmen going against the player who probably has the best shot of derailing Nadal, this should fall under the heading of Most Rocking Stadium, Fourth Round.