Federer continues smooth progress

Roger Federer moved closer to a tantalising quarter-final against Rafael Nadal at the US Open with a crushing win over Frenchman Adrian Mannarino.

After a poor summer there were many who questioned whether Federer would make the last eight at Flushing Meadows, but he has breezed through so far and was never troubled in a 6-3 6-0 6-2 victory.

The seventh seed is always at home under the lights on Arthur Ashe and was detained for just 81 minutes by the world number 63 in the third round.

Federer and Nadal have met 31 times before but never at Flushing Meadows, and it would be a mouth-watering encounter.

First Federer must beat his old junior rival Tommy Robredo, who ended the run of British qualifier Dan Evans in a tough four-setter, while Nadal meets German Philipp Kohlschreiber.

Federer said: “I only start really focusing on it once I’m really right there, like the moment I would win my next round and he did the same.

“But as long as it’s not the case, I’m really focused on making sure that from my side I do things the right way and professional.

“I don’t look ahead, even though I understand the urge of the press to try to go there already, which is entirely normal. I have gone through that my entire career, people talking about our matches even before the tournament started.

“We’re used to it. We know how to handle it. Clearly I think we both hope it’s going to happen this time for the first time in New York.”