Federer sails through in cosy surroundings

NEW YORK, Sep 4 (Reuters) Top-seeded Roger Federer was not on the main stage at the US Open but the world number one enjoyed the cosier surroundings and a quick trip into the fourth round.

Playing a rare night match at Louis Armstrong Stadium, twice defending champion Federer rolled into the round of 16 with a crushing 6-3 6-3 6-0 victory over unseeded Vince Spadea yesterday.

The wash-out of Saturday's day and night sessions created a backlog and set up the Swiss player's return to the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center's second court.

''I think it was a great atmosphere out on Armstrong. I've had some great matches out there, playing against (Juan Carlos) Ferrero years ago, like six years ago,'' the 25-year-old Swiss said.

''The crowd's much closer to you. There's less space behind you. They're much more into it. So it's good for a change again to play on that court.'' The twice defending champion used his all-court brilliance to race to victory in 88 minutes, striking 40 winners past the outclassed American.

The Swiss world number one overwhelmed his opponent in the final set, pouring in 80 percent of his first serves and losing only nine points to complete the rout.

Federer, who has not lost a set, expects tougher battles ahead as he works his way toward a possible showdown final against second seed Rafael Nadal.

''I'm very happy. Not losing a set the first three rounds, that's always awesome,'' the eight-times grand slam winner said.

Federer will next meet 79th-ranked Marc Gicquel of France, who clinched victory over 21st-seed Gaston Gaudio of Argentina by winning a fifth-set tiebreaker 7-3.

''From now on, you try to keep it up. Of course the rounds are getting tougher.

''Even though I don't know my opponent very much in the next round, I've seen him play a little bit today, obviously. And then also that (Nicolas) Kiefer match at the French Open where he played five sets,'' he said, referring to Gicquel's second-round loss at Roland Garros that went to 11-9 in the fifth set.

''So I know a little bit about him,' Federer added. ''But the rounds are definitely getting tougher. Now either you play the guy with more experience, a guy with momentum, something is getting tougher. I have to be ready for it.'' REUTERS PM RAI1107