• French Open, Day Eight

Soderling sets up Federer rematch at Roland Garros

Roger Federer secured a safe passage to the quarter-finals with a straight-sets win over Stanislas Wawrinka © Getty Images

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World No. 1 Roger Federer produced a sublimely clinical performance to take out Stanislas Wawrinka 6-3 7-6(5) 6-2 in their all-Swiss fourth-round clash.

The defending champion was a picture of calm throughout the match and comfortably took the initiative in each set with a series of effortlessly classy winners. A number of unforced errors by Wawrinka did little to help his cause but in truth the less-heralded of the two Swiss players would have struggled to challenge Federer even in top gear.

Federer began in dominant style but found himself up against a stubborn opponent. The No. 1 seed created several good chances for a break but did not steal the important advantage until the 11th game of the opening set.

Wawrinka's resistance continued into the second set, as he served strongly enough in the swirling winds hitting the Phillippe Chatrier court to force a tiebreak. Federer, however, had too much class for his rival and took the second in just under an hour.

Losing the tiebreak took the stuffing out of Wawrinka and two dumped backhands into the net in the first game of the third set put Federer firmly in control. A further break increased the 16-time major champion's level of comfort and he served out to seal an impressive straight-sets win and a place in the quarter-finals.

Robin Soderling remains on course for back-to-back appearances in the French Open final after he comfortably put away Marin Cilic 6-4 6-4 6-2. Soderling was a beaten finalist against Federer last year, but his meaty ground strokes continue to make him a serious alternate to the expected Nadal/Federer monopoly.

The No. 5 seed broke seven times throughout the contest, converting half of his break chances, and the extra speed generated behind his serve and forehand proved decisive. Soderling now has the chance to gain revenge on Federer in the quarter-finals.

Meanwhile, Mikhail Youzhny will be nicely rested going into the second week after Jo-Wilfried Tsonga retired in their last-16 encounter. Tsonga trailed by a set to love when injury forced him to quit.

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