Federer on cruise control with Soderling up next

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<p> Roger Federer continued his serene progress at the US Open to remain on course for a showdown with the man who ended his amazing Grand Slam streak. </p><p> Federer overcame strong winds to beat France's Paul-Henri Mathieu 6-4 6-3 6-3 in one hour and 39 minutes and is yet to drop a set in three matches at Flushing Meadows. </p><p> The five-time champion is looking to reach his seventh straight final in New York and regain the title after losing to Argentina's Juan Martin Del Potro 12 months ago. </p><p> But he looks set to face Sweden's Robin Soderling in the quarter-finals, the player he lost to at the same stage of the French Open this year to end his streak of 23 consecutive Grand Slam semi-final appearances. </p><p> Speaking about his win over Mathieu, Federer said: I thought the first set was the key. He has some serious talent. We came through the juniors together and he used to toy around with me. </p><p> I got a bit lucky in the first set, he had the first break point at 4-3 and after that I was able to break him back and maybe break his will a bit. </p><p> Soderling needed five sets to edge past Austrian qualifier Andreas Haider-Maurer in the first round, but has since dropped just 16 games, the fifth seed beating Thiemo De Bakker 6-2 6-3 6-3 in just an hour and 42 minutes. </p><p> Third seed Novak Djokovic is also through after knocking out American James Blake 6-1 7-6 6-3. </p>