Ferrer and Ljubicic advance at Monte Carlo Masters

MONACO – David Ferrer advanced to the quarterfinals of the Monte Carlo Masters by beating Milos Raonic 6-1, 6-3 in the third round Thursday.

The fourth-seeded Spaniard dictated most of the rallies and pegged Raonic behind the baseline. The big-serving Canadian rarely threatened, managing only one ace and losing his own serve five times.

Ferrer will next face either Tommy Robredo of Spain or Viktor Troicki of Serbia.

Ivan Ljubicic also advanced, beating fifth-seeded Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic 6-4, 6-2 to reach his third quarterfinal of the season.

Ljubicic could next meet six-time defending champion Rafael Nadal. The top-ranked Spaniard was to play Richard Gasquet of France later Thursday.