Federer on course for Kuerten

Top seed Roger Federer will have to defeat three times champion Gustavo Kuerten to keep his French Open dream alive.

Federer is tied 1-1 in career meetings with the Brazilian clay court expert and No28 seed who cruised into the third round with a 6-2, 6-0, 6-3 win over Gilles Elseneer today.

Federer was too strong for Nicolas Kiefer, winning 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 on centre court, where the clash with Kuerten is certain to be scheduled on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Andre Agassi, who pleaded for more matches after being dumped out of the first round, has been given a wild card in the Stella Artois Championships at Queen's starting on 7 June.

Lleyton Hewitt booked his place in the third round of with a 6-4, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 victory over Jurgen Melzer of Austria.

Seventh seed Jennifer Capriati brushed aside Czech Kveta Peschke 7-5, 6-3 in the women's singles.