Federer moves on at Swiss Indoors

BASEL, Switzerland (AP) ― Roger Federer advanced to the quarterfinals and Andy Murray withdrew because of an injury just before his first-round match at the Swiss Indoors on Wednesday.

Andy Roddick also advanced, using his serve to beat Tommy Haas of Germany 6-3, 6-4 in the late match. The seventh-seeded American had 12 aces and never allowed Haas a break point chance.

Federer, defending champion at his hometown event, dropped a set against Jarkko Nieminen of Finland for the first time in their 12 matches but came through 6-1, 4-6, 6-3.

“It was still a good match, I thought, for me to come through,” said Federer, who is playing his tournament since the U.S. Open and served three straight double faults when broken in the second set. “It was due to my ups and downs that he got a chance.”

Murray’s injury left the third-seeded Swiss a clearer path to a possible final against top-ranked Novak Djokovic for a third straight year.

“I never saw (Murray) as a potential opponent anyway because I’m too focused on what I have to do,” Federer said. “I am sure it is somewhat disappointing for the tournament director after going through all the headaches with the wild cards.”

Valencia Open

Top-seeded David Ferrer beat Canadian qualifier Vasek Pospisil 6-3, 6-3 on Wednesday to reach the Valencia Open quarterfinals.

The fifth-ranked Spaniard and defending champion was hardly troubled for the second straight day as he saved five of six break chances and converted four himself, including the lone break of the second set.

Milos Raonic bowed out after a 6-4, 6-4 first-round loss to Croatia’s Marian Cilic.