PARIS, May 28 (UPI) -- Marat Safin of Russia defeated Juan Carlos Ferrero in a battle of Grand Slam champions in third round play Saturday at the 2005 French Open.
Last year's runnerup, Guillermo Coria, was a Saturday winner.
The third-seeded Safin, winner of the year's first major at the Australian Open, posted a 7-6 (7-5), 7-5, 1-6, 7-6 (7-2) victory over Ferrero, who won the French crown in 2003 and was the runner-up in 2002.
Four Russian women also won Saturday.
Since winning the Australian Open for his second career Grand Slam title, Safin -- who also won the 2000 U.S. Open -- has be bothered by a knee injury.
Safin's next foe will be Spaniard Tommy Robredo, who beat Spaniard David Sanchez, 6-4, 6-3, 6-1.
Coria defeated Austria's Jurgen Melzer 6-1, 6-1, 7-6 (7-2).
On the women' side Saturday, Amelie Mauresmo suffered a third-round loss, but former champion Justine Henin-Hardenne overcame a sluggish start to win in three sets.
Ana Ivanovic, 17, defeated third-seeded Mauresmo, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4.
