BBC Sporttennis

Ljubicic now boasts a 4-3 head-to-head record against Davydenko

Ivan Ljubicic came from two sets down to stun fourth seed Nikolay Davydenko with a 4-6 2-6 6-3 6-2 6-4 victory in round three of the French Open.

Davydenko looked to be cruising towards the last 16 before 28th seed Ljubicic came into a class of his own.

There were no problems for top seed Roger Federer, who was in superb form as he beat Mario Ancic 6-3 6-4 6-2.

"I'm happy with the way I'm playing. I haven't lost much energy in the first week," said Federer.

"Mario has the variety on his serve and I had to see how was the best way to return.

"It was hard to move him around on the baseline at the start but once I had the break I played more freely. I started to serve very well."

I was starting to get nervous and began to make mistakes Nikolay Davydenko

Ferrer won 6-2 3-6 3-6 6-3 6-4 despite a mid-match slump and facing a break point in game six of the fifth set.

The Spaniard was a heavy favourite against Hewitt, who is returning from injury and has never enjoyed playing on clay.

"I had my chances there," said Hewitt. "I had break point at 3-2 in the fifth set and then in the game I lost at 4-4 I was 40-15 on his serve.

"It's just a couple of points that can go your way and you can be through.

"But he's a tough player. I tried to hang in there and turn things around. I almost got out of it in the fifth set. He moves well and doesn't give you any free points.

"He played well in the first set and it was hard to dictate play."

Ferrer goes on to face Radek Stepanek, who thrashed 12th seed Tommy Robredo 6-3 6-2 6-1.

"Stepanek is a player who can hurt you when you play," said Ferrer. "He's an excellent player.

"Last time we played in Rome he defeated me but things might have changed. It's going to be a very tough match."

Ljubicic, meanwhile, will enter his fourth round match against Gael Monfils in high spirits following his shock win over Davydenko, who was a beaten semi-finalist in 2005 and 2007.

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"I was starting to get nervous and began to make mistakes. I tried to come back in the fifth set but it was too late."

Monfils ironed out his inconsistencies and displayed impressive stamina to overcome Jurgen Melzer 4-6 7-5 4-6 6-0 6-2.

"I think physically it was difficult for him," said Monfils. "I think it was difficult for him to sustain his game over five sets.

"I started raising my level, raising my game, adjusting my game, and it really was physical."

Robby Ginepri became the first American man to reach the fourth round of the French Open since Andre Agassi in 2003.

Ginepri, the last American man or woman playing singles in this year's tournament, beat Florent Serra of France 6-4 6-4 6-4.

The 25-year-old is enjoying his best run at Roland Garros and said he has benefited from the coaching of Jose Higueras and Diego Moyano.

"Talking with both of them has really opened up another door with me on the clay court," he said.

"Before I really had no clue how to construct points or what type of shots to hit when I was in trouble or how to serve, what sets up what.

"So with them having a lot of experience and just with me listening constantly, it's just started being engraved into my mind."

Next up for Ginepri will be Chile's Fernando Gonzalez, who came back from two sets and a break down to beat ninth seed Stanislas Wawrinka 5-7 2-6 6-4 6-4 6-4.