Federer overwhelms Melzer to set up Soderling showdown

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NEW YORK - Roger Federer edged closer to a sixth title at the US Open, defeating Austrian Jurgen Melzer 6-3, 7-6 (7-4), 6-3 to reach the quarter-final.

Second-seeded Federer won his first three service games to love Monday as he made a statement to a good friend, whom he faced for the first time two months ago at Wimbledon, winning that fourth-round contest in straight sets. He has not lost a set so far at this year’s edition.

The 16-time Grand Slam champion, who is approaching another career record, powered his way into a 26th-consecutive quarter-final at a Grand Slam, one less than the all-time mark held by Jimmy Connors as he set up a meeting with Robin Soderling.

The last time Federer failed to reach the last eight of a major was Roland Garros 2004 when, as top seed, he lost in the third round to Gustavo Kuerten.

Soderling, losing finalist to Federer and Rafael Nadal at the last two French Opens, staged a comeback to survive against Albert Montanes 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-3.

A finalist in 2007, Novak Djokovic, fired 30 winners as he dominated American Mardy Fish 6-3, 6-4, 6-1 to set up a meeting with Frenchman Gael Monfils, who beat Richard Gasquet 6-4, 7-5, 7-5.

Federer schooled Melzer, who was playing for the first time on the big stage of the Authur Ashe Stadium showcase court. The win was his 55th in New York against four losses.

The Swiss world number two broke for 4-2 in the third set as he rolled to victory with Melzer missing on seven of eight break chances in the set.

“It was a tough match,” Federer said. “The breeze is still here. It was tough to play. Jurgen is a close friend, and it was never going to be easy to play him. I’m relieved and happy to be through.

“I’ve not lost a set, so I’m very happy, It doesn’t matter how you play. I’d love to play wonderful every time, but guys don’t let you do that. They make it tough. I’m finding a way to win. I’m playing the right way.”

Federer has never lost an Ashe court night match, winning his 13th.

He said that facing Soderling, who put him out of the French Open, would be a challenge. “He’s always been dangerous, but he can now do it consistently. This is a tough draw for me.”

Swedish fifth seed Soderling took a set to get started against Albert Montanes 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-3 to book into the quarter-finals for a second-consecutive year.

In the women’s draw, top seed Caroline Wozniacki allowed Maria Sharapova no chance in a 6-3, 6-4 defeat of the three-time Grand Slam champion with the winner claiming her 18th victory from 19 matches since Wimbledon.

Last year’s losing finalist to Kim Clijsters has won 13-straight matches and lost just 10 games so far during the fortnight from four matches.

“I knew I could win, but I knew it was going to be tough,” the Dane said. “I knew that I had to fight for every point. She wasn’t going to go away. She was going to hang in there and keep fighting till the end.”

Sharapova, a teenaged Wimbledon winner, gave full marks to the 20- year-old winner. “Obviously, she’s at the top of her game, playing her best tennis of her career,” she said. “Never go into a match underestimating her ability.”

Wimbledon finalist and seventh seed Vera Zvonareva beat German Andrea Petkovic 6-1,

6-2.

Dominika Cibulkova ended the hopes of 2004 winner Svetlana Kuznetsova as the former champion committed 42 unforced errors in a 7-5, 7-6 (7-4) loss.

Estonian outsider Kaia Kanepi also put out 2009 semi- finalist Yanina Wickmayer 0-6, 7-6 (6-2), 6-1.