BANGKOK, 1 October 2004 — World No. 1 Roger Federer led the top four seeds into the quarterfinals of the Thailand Open by defeating Swiss compatriot Ivo Heuberger 6-1, 6-3 yesterday.

Second seed Andy Roddick was handed a stern test before he overcame his friend and fellow American Jeff Morrison 6-2, 6-7, 6-4, while Marat Safin and Thailand’s Paradorn Srichaphan reached the last eight with straight set victories.

Federer, winner of three grand slam titles this year, took the first set in just 20 minutes after breaking for a 2-1 lead.

The top seed built a 5-1 cushion in the second set before giving up his serve with a double fault despite holding three match points. But he finally clinched the contest with his sixth ace.

Roddick turned his thoughts to the United States’ Davis Cup final against Spain in December after his victory over Morrison. “The Davis Cup... that’s my priority for the rest of the year, so whatever I need to do to prepare for that I’m willing to do that,” said Roddick, who needed seven match points to overcome Morrison. Russian third seed Safin also needed several match points to beat Jiri Vanek of the Czech Republic 6-3, 6-4. “I just couldn’t finish it for some reason,” said Safin. “But I’m not the only player to have these problems. He was trying and didn’t miss any opportunities. He had some break points but I served well and he was fighting until the end.”

Local favorite and fourth seed Paradorn edged out American Alex Bogomolov Jr 6-0, 7-6 to keep the home fans happy. Last year’s champion, Taylor Dent of the United States was beaten 6-0, 6-4 by Dutchman Dennis Van Scheppingen.

Novak Through to Shanghai Open Last Eight

In Shanghai, second seed Jiri Novak labored to a 6-4, 6-7, 6-1 win over Dutchman Melle van Gemerden to reach the quarterfinals of the Shanghai Open.

The Czech, beaten finalist in 2003, dropped the second set in a tiebreak but upped his game to set up a meeting with American Jan-Michael Gambill. Eighth seed Gambill ended the hopes of China’s Zhu Ben-qiang 6-0, 7-6 while third seed Guillermo Canas of Argentina battled past Dane Kristian Pless 6-2, 4-6, 6-4.

Italian veteran Davide Sanguinetti ended sixth-seed Jarkko Nieminen’s bid for a place in the last eight, upsetting the Finn 6-4, 7-5.

Sharapova Sweeps Into Korea Open Quarters

In Seoul, Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova disposed of Japan’s Miho Saeki 6-3, 6-1 to sweep into the quarterfinals of the Hansol Korea Open.

The 17-year-old Russian top seed needed just over an hour to overpower Saeki, setting up a clash with Australia’s Samantha Stosur.

Saeki took a 3-1 lead in the first set, moving Sharapova around the court with some well-placed backhands and deft drop shots. But the Siberian teenager’s strength became the decisive factor and Saeki only took one more game in the match.

A booming ace gave Sharapova the first set and she wrapped things up in the second with a combination of powerful ground strokes and thundering serves.

Standing between Sharapova and a place in the semi-finals is eighth seed Stosur, whom the Russian beat earlier in the year on grass.