Roger Federer hits a backhand return against Thiemo de Bakker at the Sony Open in Miami on Sunday (US time). Photo: CFP

Two-time winner Roger Federer and defending champion Andy Murray eased into the fourth round of the Sony Open in Miami, producing ­efficient wins in heat and humidity on Sunday (US time).

Fifth-ranked Federer pounded Dutchman Thiemo de Bakker 6-3, 6-3 in just over an hour while British sixth seed Murray downed practice partner Feliciano Lopez 6-4, 6-1.

Federer, 32, broke for victory in the final game, with De Bakker saving a pair of match points but also double-faulting at a crucial moment.

Federer secured his 21st match win of the season when a backhand from the Dutchman ­floated long.

"I'm feeling really good with my game," said the Swiss star, who next faces French ninth seed Richard Gasquet.

"My confidence is high and I'm moving well. I'm excited about how I've been playing."

Federer said he will need to gather information on Gasquet, whom he last played in November at the season-ending event in London.

"We've played many times and I'm not sure how he's playing right now," Federer said. "I have to find out a little bit."

Murray polished his record to 9-0 over ­Lopez in only 73 minutes. The Scotsman, who does much of his off-season training in Miami, ­improved to 21-6 in the US city.

He now faces French 11th seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who outlasted Marcos Baghdatis 4-6, 7-6 (8/6), 7-5.

Murray has won eight of their nine ATP meetings, the most recent last year on grass at the Queen's Club Championships in London.

Tsonga trailed a set and was down 5-1 in the second-set tie­breaker when he suddenly found some much-needed form, rallying to win after two and a half hours.

The Frenchman fired 16 aces and needed only one break of serve to make the winning difference.

Spanish fourth seed David Ferrer defeated Italian Andreas Seppi 6-3, 6-2.

Also advancing was Chinese world No.2 Li Na, the reigning Australian Open champion who dispatched American Madison Keys 7-6 (7/3), 6-3. Li will play Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain in the next round.

Polish third seed Agnieszka Radwanska, last week's Indian Wells runner-up, beat Russia's Elena Vesnina 7-5, 6-3.

Radwanska will play 19-year-old Ukrainian Elina Svitolina for a spot in the quarterfinals.

AFP - Global Times