Nalbandian too tough for Federer

David Nalbandian is convinced he has the Indian Sign over Roger Federer after his 3-6 7-6 (7/1) 6-4 6-3 victory in their fourth-round clash in the US Open at Flushing Meadows.

Federer was aiming for his first victory against Nalbandian, who also defeated him for the junior crown here in 1998.

But instead, the Wimbledon champion was handed what may have been his most demoralising defeat in the rivalry, committing 62 unforced errors in the process.

“He’s a very good player,” Nalbandian said. “But I knew him five years ago, six years ago, when we were juniors. I think I know him.”

After winning the first set, Federer fell 5-0 behind in the second before staging a fightback and winning the next five games to force a tie-break but Nalbandian dominated by taking seven of the eight points.

The two players stayed on serve in the third set before the Argentinian broke in the 10th game to take the lead for good.

Nalbandian broke two more times in the final set to move into the quarter-finals for the first time in his career.

It was the second meeting between the two in a Grand Slam event – Nalbandian won a five-set thriller in the fourth-round at the Australian Open.

Federer will go back to the drawing board but is determined to end his losing streak against the Argentinian.

“I don’t know what to comment on this because I’m trying to figure out how to beat him,” Federer said. “I’ve never felt I had a great day playing against him.”

French Open champion Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain, the third seed, also had a scare before holding on for a 6-2 6-4 3-6 5-7 6-3 victory over Todd Martin.

Guillermo Coria was the first player in the men’s draw to finish his match yesterday with a 6-2 6-3 4-6 6-2 triumph over Sweden’s Jonas Bjorkman.

The fifth seed advanced to meet top seed Andre Agassi in today’s quarter-finals.

Sixth seed Lleyton Hewitt, the 2001 champion, completed a 4-6 6-2 6-4 6-2 victory over Thailand’s Paradorn Srichaphan.

Hewitt is confident that he can cope with three matches over the next three days.

“Obviously, the last time I made quarter (at a Grand Slam) was here last year,” Hewitt said. “I’ve had great success at this tournament.

“I enjoy these courts and I enjoy the atmosphere here.”

Dutchman Sjeng Schalken, the 12th seed, posted a 6-1 4-6 6-3 6-4 victory over eighth seed Rainer Schuettler of Germany to reach the quarter-finals for the first time.

Schalken now faces fourth-seeded American Andy Roddick in the last eight.

Younes El Aynaoui, the 22nd seed from Morocco, claimed his place in the quarter-finals with a 7-6 (7/4) 7-6 (9/7) 4-6 6-4 triumph over seventh seed Carlos Moya of Spain and now meets Nalbandian.