HALLE, Germany — Top-seeded Roger Federer looked rusty in beating German wild-card Cedrik-Marcel Stebe 6-3, 6-3 Wednesday to reach the quarterfinals of the Gerry Weber Open, a tune-up for Wimbledon. His first singles match on grass as he prepares to defend the Wimbledon title wasn't all smooth sailing but Federer was never really threatened. Gael Monfils reached quarterfinals as well, then announced he will miss Wimbledon. After defeating Czech qualifier Jan Hernych 6-2, 6-3, Monfils said he withdrew his request for a Wimbledon wild card because he had to deal with a personal problem that could not be delayed. He didn't elaborate. Mikhail Youzhny also advanced to the last eight by upsetting fourth-seeded Kei Nishikori 6-1, 6-7 (4), 6-3. German wild card Mischa Zverev went through by beating Mirza Basic 7-6 (5), 6-3 after coming from behind in both sets. Four of Federer's seven Wimbledon titles have come after Federer had also won the build-up event in Halle. His link to the Halle event is so deep that he has had a street named after him. Now ranked No. 3 in the world, Federer has not won a title this year and is coming off a quarterfinal loss at the French Open. Cilic, Berdych, Hewitt advance In London, defending champion Marin Cilic advanced to the third round at Queen's Club with a 6-3, 6-4 win over fellow Croat Ivan Dodig Wednesday. The No. 5-seeded Cilic was never under pressure and Dodig failed to earn a break point. Cilic won the title last year when David Nalbandian was defaulted for violent conduct after he kicked an advertising sign and injured a line judge. Tomas Berdych held off a strong second-set challenge from Dutchman Thiemo De Bakker to win 6-1, 6-4. It was the Czech's first appearance at the pre-Wimbledon grass event since he was defeated in the first round in 2005. The No. 2-seeded Berdych dominated the opening set and won 70 percent of the points, but after a short rain delay at the start of the second set De Bakker held six break points before Berdych earned a vital break to lead 4-3. Four-time champion Lleyton Hewitt also reached the third round with a 6-4, 6-3 upset victory over Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria. Jankovic advances In Germany, top-seeded Jelena Jankovic went on court twice Wednesday at the rain-disrupted Nuremberg Cup and cruised into the quarterfinals by losing only four games in three sets played. Jankovic first completed a 6-4, 6-2 win over Arantxa Rus that was suspended by darkness Tuesday after the first set. Later in the day, Jankovic beat Johanna Larsson 6-2, 6-0. As Jankovic cruised, the next three seeded players lost. No. 2 Klara Zakopalova lost 6-3, 4-6, 6-1 to Polona Hercog in the first round, while Galina Voskoboeva upset No. 3 Alize Cornet 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 and Andrea Petkovic dispatched No. 4 Julia Goerges 6-1, 7-5 in second-round matches. Fifth-seeded Lucie Safarova, No. 6 Lourdes Dominguez Lino and No. 7 Simona Halep all advanced to the quarterfinals of the inaugural WTA event on grass. — Agencies
