Nieminen cruised through the second set against Baghdatis

Federer edged a hotly-contested match against Croatia's Ivo Karlovic by taking the two tie-breaks 8-6 7-5.

Finn Nieminen had an easier run against Marcos Baghdatis, beating the Cypriot ranked five places above him 7-6 6-2.

Having saved match points in his first two matches of the week, Nieminen said: "I've gained a lot of confidence."

The 26-year-old, the first Finn to win an ATP event when he triumphed in Auckland last year, added: "I've had a good run this week.

"I lost a lot of tight matches this year but saving those match points here gave me a lot of confidence."

Baghdatis lost the first set on a double-fault in the tie-breaker and dropped his serve in the third game of the second. From then on, Nieminen cruised to victory.

"I was tired from last night's doubles, I went to bed very late and didn't sleep well," Baghdatis said.

Federer held his giant opponent to 16 aces in a match lasting just over 90 minutes - something of a triumph.

In the second breaker, the hometown hero reached a 4-1 lead before Karlovic staged a comeback.

However the big man netted a volley for two match points, Federer converting the second on another Karlovic error.