Tiger Woods stretched his lead in the World Golf Championships CA Championship to a comfortable four shots Saturday, then spent the evening watching buddy Roger Federer win his match at the Sony Ericsson Open.

While rainy weather in the Miami area hasn't held up play in the golf tournament at Doral, Federer admitted the long delays at the Tennis Center at Key Biscayne made him wonder if Woods would want to stick to plans to attend the match.

"I called him up and said 'Hey, it's raining here. You maybe want to go back to your ship,'" Federer said.

"And he said, 'No, I'm going to come out and see you and wait around.' 

"So it was very nice," concluded Federer, who didn't make Woods wait for long as he wrapped up a 6-4, 6-3 victory over big-serving US youngster Sam Querrey to reach the third round.

A friendship has blossomed between the two sports greats since they met at last September's US Open tennis championships.

Federer said Woods' visit to the Miami tournament had been planned well in advance, and it came after Federer walked with Woods during a practice round at Doral on Wednesday.

"I'm happy he comes out during a tournament," Federer said. "I don't know how golfers are, if they're more serious than us tennis players. But I went out to see his practice, too, and it's great that he comes to watch tennis. I think it's a great honor for our sport."

Federer admitted that when Woods first attended one of his matches - at the US Open last year - he was nervous. Now, he said, it's not so intimidating to have the 12-time major golf champion looking on.

"It was way more difficult at the US Open," Federer said. "I didn't know Tiger very well. He was sitting first row in my players' box, so I was like, 'Oh, I better play well tonight.'

"So today was no problem. He was sitting far back, and it was much more easy. But now I know him, too. So it's more relaxed. But I was a bit tense at the US Open."

Federer said he would watch Woods' progress yesterday on television. Chances are, he'll see his friend pull off another victory.

Reigning British Open and PGA Championship winner Woods has taken 12 of 23 prior WGC starts and has won 38 of 41 times when leading after 54 holes, never losing a lead of more than a stroke in 22 opportunities.

Federer was playing for the first time since his 41-match winning streak was snapped by Argentina's Guillermo Canas on March 11 at the ATP Masters Series tournament at Indian Wells, California.

With another Masters Series title on the line, Federer was pleased just to get past the first hurdle.

"I'm just happy I came through, because I didn't know what to expect tonight," Federer said.

Federer could meet Canas again in the round of 16. The Argentinian defeated 19th-seeded Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 7-5.

(China Daily via AFP March 26, 2007)