Roger Federer Into Wimbledon Quarterfinals as Tommy Haas Pulls Out

The easiest way to advance is to not play at all, which is what Roger Federer has managed to do at Wimbledon. (AP Images)

Just when you thought it couldn't get any easier for Roger Federer, it did.

After demoralizing Marat Safin in the third round, Federer has now landed a bye into Wimbledon's quarterfinals when his fourth-round opponent, Tommy Haas, withdrew from the tournament Sunday with a torn stomach muscle.

When the world's No. 1-ranked tennis player eliminated Safin on Friday, he got him to act as a PR man. Safin told reporters, "I don't see anybody who can hurt him, because everybody knows how to play against him but they don't have enough weapons to beat him, unfortunately."

Perhaps Haas figured why bother?

The 13th seed was supposed to face Federer in the fourth round Monday at the All England Club.

"To pull out of this match, against Roger on Centre Court - which is why you play the game - is obviously very disappointing," Haas said. "Can't even put it in words."

Now the top-ranked Federer will face 2003 French Open champion Juan Carlos Ferrero or unseeded Janko Tipsarevic for a berth in the semifinals.

While no one's going to just give Federer his record-tying fifth consecutive Wimbledon men's title, Safin's words were a testament to the dominance of the Swiss star. Federer shredded the Russian, 6-1, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4), to reach the Round of 16.

Federer is a massive favorite to match Bjorn Borg's mark for consecutive titles in the most celebrated Grand Slam event. With Wimbledon odds of 2/5 to win it all, it's clear tennis bettors agree with Safin's assessment that there's no player in the world who can touch Federer. Federer is also chasing Pete Sampras' overall mark of seven career Wimbledon championships.

"It's definitely good to keep on winning, keep on winning in straight sets," Federer, 25, said. "Maybe the intimidating factor is there, but I don't really care too much about that, I just want to play good tennis."

Monday will be a busy day of action on the grass courts in London. All but two singles matches were completed on Saturday before the tournament's eighth rain delay wiped out the schedule. With the first Sunday being an off day, a forthnight tradition, the second week of competition will begin with the stars in action. Among them will be No. 2 Rafael Nadal, who encounters Swede Robin Soderling. Nadal is a strong favorite at -850 on the moneyline (meaning a winning bet of $850 would net a $100 profit). Lleyton Hewitt and Guillermo Canas also did not start their contest Saturday. Former champ Hewitt is a -340 favorite.

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