Sampras had no problems against Sargsian

He took the third set 6-4 before breaking his opponent in the final game of the fourth set to clinch victory.

However, it was bitter disappointment for Pioline as he was beaten in an amazing five-set marathon comeback win by Andrei Stoliarov.

The Russian debutant saved two match points before clawing back to a 3-6 6-7 6-4 6-3 12-10 triumph.

The players had resumed the second-round match, which was stopped due to bad light on Thursday, with the score 5-5 in the fifth set.

Number four seed Marat Safin of Russia was involved in a titanic five-set battle with German David Prinosil but managed to come through it to win 7-6 (7-1) 6-3 5-7 1-6 6-3.

Pete Sampras, who nearly let victory slip through his fingers on Wednesday against Barry Cowan, was back in devastating form on Friday.

The defending champion beat Sargis Sargsian of Armenia 6-4 6-4 7-5 to reach the last 16.

Switzerland's Roger Federer also won in three-sets, but had to endure two tie-breakers.

The 15th seed defeated Swede Jonas Bjorkman 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 7-6 (7-2).

Elsewhere, Britain's Greg Rusedski was in superb form as he walked over eighth seed Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain 6-1 6-4 6-4.

And Wimbledon veteran Goran Ivanisevic dashed American rising star Andy Roddick's hopes with a 7-6 (7-5) 7-5 3-6 6-3 win.

Another experienced campaigner, Todd Martin, overcame the Swedish challenge of Magnus Larsson 4-6 6-0 6-3 to book himself a fourth round encounter with Tim Henman.