Hantuchova falls after three-hour battle

PARIS, June 2 (Reuters) Spain's Anabel Medina Garrigues edged a three-hour battle against Slovakian 12th seed Daniela Hantuchova, winning 4-6 7-6 7-5 to reach the fourth of the French Open today.

On the warmest day of the championships so far, the 24-year-old from Valencia wore down the former world number five with some gritty tennis.

Hantuchova saved one match point at 4-5 in the deciding set with a brave drive volley but there was no escape two games later when Garrigues got a second chance.

Garrigues, who has matched her best run at a grand slam, will face Israel's Shahar Peer in the last 16 after she beat Katarina Srebotnik, also in three sets.

REUTERS AKD RK2045