• US Open, Men's Draw

Federer tastes sweet revenge

Roger Federer hits a ball into the crowd after his win © Getty Images

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Roger Federer was in ruthless form as he took revenge on Robin Soderling with a 6-4 6-4 7-5 win in the quarter-finals of the US Open.

Soderling eliminated Federer at the same stage of the French Open this year, ending the world No.2's run of 23 consecutive Grand Slam semi-finals. But Federer looked in no mood for a repeat as he moved into the semi-finals in just under two hours.

The players had to contend with the strong winds that dictated Day 10, but where the gusts proved to be a leveller in top seed Caroline Wozniacki's win over Dominika Cibulkova in the women's draw, Federer looked composed and untroubled.

Revenge may be a dish best served cold, but Federer's serve was red-hot as he sent down 18 aces and a further 25 unreturned first serves, including a run of 12 deliveries which Soderling failed to handle for Federer's final three service games of the opening set.

Federer's record in centre court night matches is now 16-0, but something will have to give if his semi-final against Novak Djokovic, who also holds a perfect record under lights at the Arthur Ashe Arena, is scheduled for the evening.

Djokovic battled past Gael Monfils in a circus-show of a quarter-final in the day session.

The strong winds completely disrupted both players' normal games, and halted play on a number of occasions when rubbish blew across the court.

Djokovic came away with a 7-6(2) 6-1 6-2 win he put down to his ability to stay focused and concentrate on one point at a time. Monfils didn't win the mental battle against the conditions, resorting to trick shots and show-man antics not befitting a match of such importance.

Djokovic said: "The conditions were maybe as difficult as we saw so far in the tournament. We didn't have wind only one direction. We had it all over. I don't think the crowd enjoyed the tennis so much.

"The key facts to kind of try to adjust the wind is a good focus and patience, try to hold your nerves throughout the whole match, and play one point out of at a time."

Monfils added: "I was completely lost. Can't serve, can't really use my forehand. You run for what?"

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