Federer strolls at Indian Wells

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

INDIAN WELLS, California (Reuters) - Russia's Nikolay Davydenko became the highest seed to exit the Pacific Life Open but three-times champion Roger Federer barely broke sweat in reaching the fourth round on Tuesday.

Davydenko, the fourth seed and world number four, was swept aside by American Mardy Fish 6-3 6-2 in an evening match lasting 75 minutes on the showpiece Stadium Court.

Fish, who lost to the Russian in their only previous career meeting, will next meet twice winner Lleyton Hewitt of Australia who recovered from a slow start to beat Russia's Mikhail Youzhny 7-5 6-4.

"I felt like I played well," Fish, ranked 98th in the world, told reporters after winning four of his five break point opportunities. "I stayed aggressive and my game is kind of tailored to playing aggressive.

"I'm always pushing and I'm always kind of nagging at him, not really giving him much opportunity to take control of points and stuff.

"He's pretty comfortable with dictating play and doesn't come in much. I really feel like I took that away from him today and turned it right around on him."

Crowd favourite and top seed Federer, back in action at Indian Wells after recovering from illness, outclassed Mahut in only 53 minutes.

"I enjoy matches like this," the Swiss world number one said after setting up a fourth-round clash with big-serving Croat Ivan Ljubicic who upset 15th-seeded Tommy Robredo 6-3 6-4.