US OPEN: Flawless Federer blows rival away at windy Flushing Meadows

By Sportsbeat staff

IT'S the Big Apple, not the Windy City, but Roger Federer admitted he struggled with blustery conditions as he continued his untroubled progress at the US Open.

FLAWLESS: Roger Federer struggled with conditions but still progressed through his US Open third round match without dropping a set (Reuters)

Five-time champion Federer played within himself during a comfortable 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 victory over Paul Henri-Mathieu while Novak Djokovic proved too strong for James Blake, advancing 6-1, 7-6, 6-3.

"Playing in the wind was so hard," said Federer, who will now face 13th seed Jurgen Melzer.

"Against the wind it only takes a little bit of a bad serving game and the other guy is back in the match. I think I did a good job on that front

"After the first set I was able to break his will a little bit."

Meanwhile, Robin Soderling remains on a course to meet Federer following his 6-2, 6-3, 6-3 win over Sweden's Thiemo de Bakker 6-2 6-3 6-3. The two-time French Open finalist now faces Spain's Alberto Montanes.

"Everybody has been telling me since the draw came out I'm playing Roger in the quarters. It's still far ahead," he said.

Women's top seed Caroline Wozniacki and Maria Sharapova are preparing for a tasty last 16 clash after impressive victories.

Former champion Sharapova, who has fallen down the rankings due to injury, has looked impressive all week and thrashed fellow Russian Beatrice Capra 6-0, 6-0.

And Wozniacki, looking for her first Slam title after reaching last year's final in New York, dropped just one game against Taiwan's Chan Yung-Jan, progressing 6-0, 6-1.

"She's playing probably the best tennis of her career," said Sharapova. "She was a finalist here last year so she is very familiar with this court. It'll be tough but I'm looking forward to it."

However, fourth seed Jelena Jankovic crashed out, beaten 6-2, 7-6 by Estonia's Kaia Kanepi.