Federer steps up pace

Roger Federer's preparations for the French Open gained pace as he swept into the third round of the Hamburg Masters by crushing Nicolas Lapentti 6-3, 6-3.

The 22-year-old Wimbledon and Australian Open champion dominated from the start in a match which lasted barely an hour.

But Argentine clay court specialist Guillermo Coria confirmed his status as one of the favourites for Paris with a 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 win over Peru's Luis Horna. The last time 22-year-old Coria lost on clay was his semifinal defeat at last year's French Open.

Australian Lleyton Hewitt beat local favourite Tommy Haas 6-4, 7-5 but British No1 Tim Henman was still feeling unwell today after be knocked out 6-2, 6-2 by Romanian Andrei Pavel.