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PARIS: Roger Federer made a comfortable start to his quest for a 100th title, wrestling Fabio Fognini in straight sets at the quarter-finals at the Paris Masters on Thursday.
The 37-year-old Swiss had a second time in his life Basel on Sunday but, despite a touch of raggedness, was sharp enough to outclass the Italian 6-4 6-3 in his opening match.
Federer's procession came after Novak Djokovic celebrated his return to the summit of world tennis with an even better stroll into the aftermath of Damir Dzumhur had to retire injured in the second set of their third round clash.
Federer's return to Bercy for the first time in three years delighted his vast Parisian fan club, who gave him a standing ovation that clearly moved the 20-time grand slam winner.
The flamboyant Fognini, who calls Federer "the king of tennis", but then he did not need to be. "Not bad," was how the Swiss rated his display.
He broke into the first five games, prompting the explosive Fognini to shout down his racket in disgust, but the Italian did a break back to the 2011 Paris
After some erratic tennis in the second set, Federer completed the routine job with a 73-minute breakthrough win but knows it will be all over again in the last eight against Kei Nishikori, who beat Kevin Anderson.
In a repeat of Sunday's Vienna Open final, the in-form Japanese Nishikori has been reclaimed from the South African 6-4 6-4.
WINNING STREAK
Djokovic, who knew on Wednesday, would be the winner of the tournament through injury, was leading 6-1 2-1 when Bosnian Dzhumur succumbed to a backstage that had flared up in the first set.
Djokovic extended his winning streak to 20 straight matches.
"Reflecting on what I've been through in the last year, it's quite a phenomenal achievement, and, of course, I'm very, very happy and proud about it," the Serb told reporters.
Dzumhur suffered a tweak to his lower back when 4-1 down in the opening set. He battled on an 11-minute sixth game but was eventually broken for a second time and, although he continued after treatment and taking bread-killers, there was no way back.
Seeking a record-equaling 33rd Masters and record-extending fifth Paris title, Djokovic will face a much tougher test in the last eight against Marin Cilic, who looked in strikingly good form when beating Grigor Dimitrov 7-6 (5) 6-4.
Cilic, who moved closer to securing a place at the ATP Finals in London, beat Djokovic here at the same stage two years ago in this year's Queen's final before Wimbledon.
ISNER BLOW
Nishikori could still make the London party goal John Isner's hopes of a fatal blow when he was beaten 6-4 6-7 (9) 7-6 (8) by rising Russian Karen Khachanov.
The giant american saved four match points before the 22-year-old Khachanov, who had already staved off himself, finally being backhanded after the net-rushing Isner to win after nearly 2-1 / 2 hours of massive hitting.
In the quarter-finals, Khachanov will meet Germany's fourth seed Alexander Zverev, who subdued the scurrying defiance of Argentina's Diego Schwartzman 6-4 6-2.
London, Dominic Thiem, back in the city where he reached the French Open finale, ended Borna Coric's slim hopes while boosting his own with a 6-7 (3) 6-2 7-5 win.
The Australian will next face a rejuvenated Jack Sock after the defending champion, who has endured a dramatic slump in the year since, outplayed Tunisian lucky loser Malek Jaziri 6-0 6-4 to win back-to-back matches for the first time 2018.
(Reporting by Ian Chadband Editing Toby Davis / Pritha Sarkar / Ken Ferris)
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