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Federer cruises to win over Melzer

Roger Federer was a picture of cool in his win over Jurgen Melzer © Getty Images

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Roger Federer reverted to type by producing a sizzling display to see off Jurgen Melzer 6-3 6-2 6-3.

The Swiss' star looked on the wane during the first week of Wimbledon, having been severely tested in his first and second-round encounters, but against Melzer he looked back to somewhere near his best.

Melzer secured an early break of serve to suggest it would be another afternoon of toil for the world No. 2, but Federer produced a host of crisp groundstrokes to break back and take the set.

The second set was vintage Federer, with the Swiss rock solid on serve and picking holes in the Melzer game. Federer looked inhibited in his first couple of matches, but against Melzer the topspin backhand was much more in evidence. There was more attack than defence on show and it paid off as he converted two of three break points to move two sets to the good.

Federer secured an early break of serve in the third and Melzer failed to fashion even a solitary chance of his own as the defending champion breezed into the quarter finals in an hour and 25 minutes.

"It felt great," Federer said. "I knew it would be a top match, we have known each other for 14 years, and he has been playing well.

"I think it was good having two days off. I am aiming to progress in the tournament, my form is good now and I am very happy. I know how to win here, it is a big advantage for me, but there are so many good players left in the draw - Murray, Nadal, Roddick, Hewitt, Djokovic - so it will be tough. But I am trying to give myself a chance and we will see how it goes."

No. 2 seed Rafael Nadal booked his place in the quarter-finals with a 6-4 6-2 6-2 victory over Paul-Henri Mathieu. After facing break point in his opening service game, Nadal looked to be in control as he cruised to a comfortable victory and set up a quarter-final clash with rival Robin Soderling.

Soderling, who had won his opening three matches without dropping a service game, survived a gruelling five-set encounter against David Ferrer. The French Open finalist was pushed all the way by clay-court specialist Ferrer, but dug deep to secure a 6-2 5-7 6-2 3-6 7-5 victory.

Novak Djokovic will now meet Yen-Hsun Lu in the last eight © Getty Images

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Novak Djokovic overcame a stern examination from Lleyton Hewitt to book his place in the quarter finals. The Serb has been a consistent figure in the grand slams this term, having reached the last eight in Australia and France, and he needed all his fighting skills to get past Hewitt.

Djokovic appeared to be cruising at two sets to the good, but he started to flag in the third and needed treatment from the trainer. Hewitt sensed a chance and took the set with some excellent tennis, but Djokovic found reserves of strength to seal a 7-5 6-4 3-6 6-4 win.

"We have played here before and it was a long one, so we expected a long and physical match," Djokovic said. "I was fortunate to pull out the break at 4-4 and then pulled out a great game."

Djokovic had to receive treatment in the third set, but has played down fears over his fitness.

He said: "Conditions were tough, I was struggling a little with my stomach but it is no problems and I will be fine."

Djokovic will now meet Taipei's Yen-Hsun Lu in the quarter-finals after the world No. 82 stunned three-time finalist Andy Roddick 4-6 7-6(3) 7-6(4) 6-7(5) 9-7. Roddick was left to rue his inability to close out games after he converted just one of his eight break point opportunities. The sixth seed had three chances to break in the final set, but Lu proved a tricky customer and ground out a well-earned victory to reach his first Grand Slam quarter-final.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga got the better of his battle with fellow Frenchman Julien Benneteau, with the No. 10 seed claiming a 6-1 6-4 3-6 6-1 win, while Tomas Berdych needed four sets to beat Daniel Brands 4-6 7-6(1) 7-5 6-3.

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