Federer cruises to victory

Melbourne - Roger Federer thwarted a powerful serving performance from Milos Raonic to advance to the quarter-finals of the Australian Open on Monday.

Raonic was serving in excess of 230 kilometres (143 miles) per hour but Federer made enough inroads to post a 6-4, 7-6 (7/4), 6-2 win in 1hr 53min and reach his 35th consecutive appearance in the last eight of a major.

Federer, 30, the holder of 17 major championships, moved into a showdown against Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who defeated countryman Richard Gasquet 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 earlier on Monday.

"I felt good out there. I was moving well, had good anticipation and reaction today(Monday), which was key obviously on the return," Federer said.

"In the third set I started to feel extremely good on the return. I played well. I think I played tactically well tonight and was able to keep the points short on my own service games, used the one-two punch.

"That was obviously also a good thing tonight."

Federer broke Raonic's serve in the 10th game to sneak through a tight opening set in 33 minutes. Raonic's serve held firm in the second set, as did Federer's, as they moved into a tiebreaker.

A running, down-the-line backhand passing shot from Federer gave him the mini-break of serve in the tiebreaker and he closed it out without fuss.

Raonic dropped his first two service games of the third set and Federer ran through the set in 35 minutes. The number two seed has negotiated his first four rounds at Melbourne Park without losing his serve.

"I have good reflexes," Federer said of nullify Raonic's serve. "You try to anticipate a bit, and it happened better and better as the match went on.

"It's important to stay focused. I have learned that over the years, and it pays off in the end."

Women's singles

4th rd

Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS) bt Caroline Wozniacki (DEN x10) 6-2, 2-6, 7-5

Victoria Azarenka (BLR x1) bt Elena Vesnina (RUS) 6-1, 6-1

Sloane Stephens (USA x29) bt Bojana Jovanovski (SRB) 6-1, 3-6, 7-5

Serena Williams (USA x3) bt Maria Kirilenko (RUS x14) 6-2, 6-0

Men's singles

4th rd

Jeremy Chardy (FRA) bt Andreas Seppi (ITA x21) 5-7, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA x7) bt Richard Gasquet (FRA x9) 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2

Andy Murray (GBR x3) bt Gilles Simon (FRA x14) 6-3, 6-1, 6-3

Roger Federer (SUI x2) bt Milos Raonic (CAN x13) 6-4, 7-6 (7/4), 6-2