Bjorkman, Federer break Halle hearts

Golmard let slip a one-set lead against Burgsmueller

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Switzerland's Roger Federer beat reigning champion David Prinosil of Germany 7-6 7-5 on Thursday to reach the quarter-finals of the Halle ATP Tournament.

Prinosil, who upset the odds to win this Wimbledon warm-up event last year, wasted a set point in the first which sixth seed Federer eventually won 10-8 in the tie-break.

The 19-year-old Federer, a quarter-finalist at the French Open last week, will meet Australia's Patrick Rafter in the last eight.

Rafter eased past Romania's Andrei Pavel 6-3 6-3.

There was further disappointment for the home fans when Jonas Bjorkman beat Nicolas Kiefer in three tight sets.

The Swede prevailed after all three sets ended in a tie break - winning the decider 7-1.

Santoro composure

Bjorkman will now face his compatriot, Thomas Johansson, who won through an all-Swedish encounter against Magnus Larsson.

Johansson, the seventh seed, won in straight sets 7-5 7-5.

But French Open semi-finalist Sebastien Grosjean made an early exit when he lost by the same scoreline to fellow Frenchman Fabrice Santoro.

Third seed Grosjean had his chances but Santoro, who also played impressively at Roland Garros, showed more composure when it mattered.

Santoro now plays Germany's Lars Burgsmueller, who fought back from one set down to beat Jerome Golmard, another Frenchman, 4-6 6-4 7-5.

Second round:

Patrick Rafter (Aus, 2) beat Andrei Pavel (Rom) 6-3 6-3
Roger Federer (Swi, 6) beat David Prinosil (Ger) 7-6 (10-8) 7-5
Jonas Bjorkman (Swe) beat Nicolas Kiefer (Ger) 7-6 (7-3) 6-7 (4-7) 7-6 (7-1)
Fabrice Santoro (Fra) beat Sebastien Grosjean (Fra, 3) 7-5 7-5
Lars Burgsmueller (Ger) beat Jerome Golmard (Fra) 4-6 6-4 7-5
Thomas Johansson (Swe, 7) beat Magnus Larsson (Swe) 7-5 7-5

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