Federer reaches quarters with win over Robredo

Roger Federer continues his march towards a record 16th grand slam at Flushing Meadows in New York, looking rarely troubled during a routine straight-sets win over Tommy Robredo of Spain in the fourth round of the US Open.

After the first set went to serve until the Swiss No 1 broke in the 11th game and then rolled up the set 7-5, he took the next two 6-2, 6-2 against the 14th seed to tie up a fairly regulation win in just under 1hr 50min.

Federer's record over Robredo is now 8-1, and he earned a quarter-final clash with Robin Soderling, the Swede who shocked the world by beating Rafael Nadal at the French Open this year. Soderling made it through to the finals at Roland Garros, where the No 12 at the US Open was comfortably bettered by Federer.

"He's got a big game and we had the final of the French Open - one of the most important matches of my career - so it's nice to play him again," Federer said of his quarter final. "He has got some great shots and is strong off the baseline."

Meanwhile fourth seed Novak Djokovic also had a comfortable passage into the quarters, as he completed a three-sets stroll over Radek Stepanek in just over 100 minutes. Djokovic, who will play Fernando Verdasco in the next round, dropped just seven games on the way to a 6-1, 6-3, 6-3 triumph.

Britain's Andy Murray prepares for his fourth round match against Marin Cilic of Croatia tonight at Flushing Meadows, a man that the young Scot ranked second at the US Open has never lost to in tournament play before. Rafael Nadal, the final name to make up the top four, faces France's Gael Monfils. Nadal has battled through the pain at this year's Open, and will be hard pressed in his encounter. ·