Federer through to quarterfinals

Five-time U.S. Open champion Roger Federer beat 13th-seeded Jurgen Melzer of Austria 6-3, 7-6 (4), 6-3 to reach the quarterfinals at a 26th consecutive Grand Slam tournament and set up an intriguing rematch with Robin Soderling.

No. 5 Soderling of Sweden is the man who ended Federer's streak of 23 consecutive Grand Slam semifinals with an upset in this year's French Open quarterfinals.

"He's always been a dangerous player," Federer said in an on-court interview. "This is obviously a tough draw for me in the quarters, playing Robin."

Playing in front of a star-studded capacity crowd, Federer delivered a crowd-pleasing performance that included 41 winners.

"Haven't lost a set, so obviously, I'm very happy," Federer said. "It doesn't matter too much how you play, really. I'd love to play wonderful every time I come on the court. Guys make it tough. They play and make it the way you don't want it to be."

Federer got some help from the net in the second-set tiebreaker, twice hitting balls that hit the tape and trickled over to end points.

Federer will take on another familiar foe in Soderling, who advanced earlier Monday by eliminating No. 21 Albert Montanes of Spain 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-3.