Basel, November 05 : Roger Federer took just an hour to crush Andreas Seppi 6-3, 6-3 for a sixth straight victory against the Italian to reach the quarter-finals of the Swiss Indoors on Wednesday.
The top seed, a hometown hero at the St Jakobshalle, was invincible as he reached the last eight, winning his 17th straight match in Basel and his 57th of the season.
The winner of the last three editions has not been defeated at the tournament since 2003 when he lost to Ivan Ljubicic, who went out here on Wednesday having come to the tournament in form having won the Lyon title last Sunday.
“It was a straightforward match, similar to my first round,” said a relaxed Federer.
“But tonight I had to saved break points, it was a bit tougher.
“I was able to raise my game when I needed to, it was a good performance.”
Federer saved two break points in the routine win, with Seppi yet to win a set in their encounters.
The Swiss improved to a 31-6 record in his career playing at home and has now won 36 of his last 37 matches.
Federer will await a winner from Russian Evgeny Korolev and France’s Jeremy Chardy, who beat slumping American James Blake, 7-6 (7/4), 6-7 (6/8), 6-4.
“He served well and I didn’t do my job of putting pressure on his serve,” said the 41st-ranked Blake who had to deal with 24 aces from his opponent.
“That made a big difference.
“If you don’t do that, you have a tough time putting any pressure. I had one lapse early in the third set and he took advantage. He didn’t let up on his serve at all during the match.”
—Agencies