CINCINNATI, 15 August 2003 — Wimbledon champion Roger Federer and French Open winner Juan Carlos Ferrero joined the remarkable exodus of seeds in the second round of the Cincinnati Masters Series on Wednesday.

Federer, the Swiss third seed, lost 7-6, 7-6 to Argentine David Nalbandian, whose compatriot Gaston Gaudio had earlier stunned second seed Ferrero 6-7, 7-6, 6-4.

The defeats, under a fierce sun as temperatures in Ohio soared, ended Federer and Ferrero’s hopes of overhauling Andre Agassi as world number one by the end of the $2.45 million event.

The surprise results also left only four seeds still alive, led by number six Guillermo Coria of Argentina and number seven Andy Roddick, a 6-1, 6-4 victor over Croatian Ivan Ljubicic.

Roddick’s win set up a mouth-watering third-round clash with James Blake after his fellow American’s 6-1, 6-4 triumph over 11th-seeded Dutchman Sjeng Schalken.

Wednesday’s results also ensured the last 16 is comprised of five Argentines and, after an evening session win for Mardy Fish over Belgian Xavier Malisse, five Americans.

World number two Federer had saved seven match points in his epic first-round win over Scott Draper but Nalbandian made sure he did not become the victim of another great escape.

He took the first set tiebreak 7-4 and then surged into a 5-2 lead in the second set.

Federer found his last reserves of energy to break back and force another tiebreak but Nalbandian immediately slammed the door shut again.

Coria’s victory over Yevgeny Kafelnikov ­ — the Russian retired hurt trailing 6-0, 5-4 — helped provide another day to remember for burgeoning Argentine tennis.

Clijsters Celebrates No. 1 Status With a Win

In Toronto, Kim Clijsters made her first match as the world’s number one women’s tennis player a quick one Wednesday as she sped past Francesca Schiavone to reach the third round of the WTA Tier One hardcourt tournament here.

Clijsters, who was playing against the Italian for the third time in four weeks, maintained her 100 percent record in their head-to-head meetings (5-0) with a 6-1, 6-2 victory in just 47 minutes.

The 20-year-old Belgian was delighted to have made light work of what many thought would be a tricky opponent.

Clijsters, who received a great reception from the Toronto crowd, said being No. 1 was not going to change her outlook.

“I don’t think it will change anything about me or my game, but over the last few days, I’ve been very busy and it’s a very special feeling,” said Clijsters. “It’s nice to hear No. 1 when they announce you on court at the beginning.”

Clijsters’ second-seeded compatriot Henin-Hardenne started the day’s parade of seeds through to the third round as she eased past Marion Bartoli of France 6-3, 6-3.

Ranked third in the world, Henin-Hardenne has won five titles this year, including the French Open.

Third-seeded Amelie Mauresmo of France rallied for a 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 victory over Elena Likhovtseva of Russia. Mauresmo, who won this event last year, is playing for the first time since June.

Fourth-seeded Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia routed American Jill Craybas, 6-1, 6-2.

No. 5 Anastasia Myskina, one of 10 Russians entered in this tournament, advanced with a 3-6, 7-6 (7/2), 6-4 victory over Nicole Pratt of Australia.

Other seeded Russians moving on were No. 9 Elena Dementieva, who trounced Janette Husarova of Slovakia 6-1, 6-1, No. 10 Vera Zvonareva, who pounded American Mashona Washington, 6-1, 6-1, No. 12 Elena Bovina, who got past Cara Black of Zimbabwe, 6-3, 6-2, and No. 14 Nadia Petrova, who edged Spain’s Virginia Ruano Pascual 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (7/3).

Former French Open champion Mary Pierce of France did not make much of her wild card, losing 6-4, 7-5, to Paola Suarez of Argentina, while French 15th seed Nathalie Dechy fell to Colombian Fabiola Zuluaga 6-2, 7-5.