Federer fearful of no-one as quarter-final with Davydenko beckons

 ROGER Federer is swanning around Melbourne Park like the cat who got the cream - it does not bode well for rest of the draw.

FINE FETTLE: Roger Federer is heading to the quarter finals of the Australian Open at the top of his game (Getty Images)

The 15-time grand slam champion was expected to meet his toughest test in home favourite Lleyton Hewitt in the last 16 on Monday and while the Australian brought his typical tenacity to the table, Federer glided into the quarter finals.

The Swiss has been slowly but surely edging towards his sublime best at the Australian Open and at present is the bookies' favourite to lift the title for the fourth time on Sunday.

Up next for the world number one is Nikolay Davydenko, the in-form Russian who has beaten Federer in their previous two outings and remains unbeaten in 2010.

But Federer is not exactly a bundle of nerves.

"I'm never intimidated, not that that's good or bad," said Federer, who has dropped just one set thus far in Melbourne.

"Even though I know I can play really good shots and come up with great backhands, forehands, serves and volleys, when you can really produce them in the most important stages of a match it's so rewarding.

"It's such a good feeling that all the hard work you put in in the off‑season is worthwhile - it's just a beautiful feeling.

"I think the love for the game is very important, that I go through the daily grind and practice and matches with a very positive attitude.

"I think the variety of my shots helps as well. Like I said before, I can always change it up and surprise myself again. That makes it a lot of fun for me, very challenging as well.

"I can always adjust to any type of player. I think with the experience and the mental toughness and the physical capabilities I have, I think it's a very good combination.

"I'm happy I can always elevate my game against the better‑ranked players, especially champions like Lleyton.

"So that's obviously a very good feeling. But we're only through to the quarterfinals already depending how you look at it.

"I hope I can go further, but I'm very happy with where my game is at right now and I'm looking forward to the next round."

Davydenko has been equally impressive in Melbourne, although his first signs of weakness came against Fernando Verdasco in the last 16 as he almost let a two-set lead slip through his fingers before sealing a five-set victory.

But Federer is well aware of the dangers the Russian possesses.

"Before he would not hit his first serve, and if he would for a while, he would then miss it and then he would serve a ton of double faults.

"But in Doha when I played him, he hit 27 out of 27 first serves so it's a bit of a difference. That makes it a bit more difficult to break.

"Obviously he's one of the good return players we have in the game. He moves extremely well and makes it hard.

"I'm in for a good match for sure. I obviously favour my chances in a best‑of‑five set match. We'll see how it goes."