Federer, Henman handed wins as injuries plague

Federer and Henman were handed gift victories as injuries cut down their fourth-round opponents at the Open.

Top seed Roger Federer and British No. 1 Tim Henman advanced to their first US Open quarter-finals on Monday after a bruising day at the US Open that kept the tournament's infirmary on the go.

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Federer and Henman were handed gift victories as injuries cut down their fourth-round opponents at the US$17.8 million event.

"It doesn't happen very often so this is a strange situation for me," said world No. 1 Federer, who won in a walkover after Andrei Pavel pulled out with a back injury. "It is an awkward feeling winning a walkover."

Federer moves on to the quarter-finals for the first time at the US Open in five appearances where he will face eight-time Grand Slam champ Andre Agassi, who easily beat Armenia's Sargis Sargsian 6-3, 6-2, 6-2.

Birthday boy Henman received the sweetest present of all on Monday when German Nicolas Kiefer withdrew in the fifth set of their marathon match, allowing Henman to reach his first quarter-final here in 10 appearances.

Sargsian (knee), Olivier Rochus (leg cramps) and Mary Pierce (groin) also sought medical treatment as injuries contributed to their expulsions.