Federer answers challenge of inspired Lopez

NEW YORK, Sep 4 (Reuters) Top seed Roger Federer shrugged off an inspired first set by Spain's Feliciano Lopez with a brilliant service display to reach the US Open quarter-finals with a 3-6 6-4 6-1 6-4 victory.

Federer, seeking a fourth consecutive title, won 35 points in a row on his serve before the streak was snapped in the last game of the match yesterday.

The Swiss master advanced to a quarter-final clash against American Andy Roddick, runner-up to Federer in last year's final.

''He was playing fantastic for the first two sets, dictating play, serving unbelievable,'' Federer said after the match.

''But I played great at the end.'' The 25-year Lopez, ranked 60th in the world, registered 11 winners in the first set, including five aces, to shock the world number one.

But Federer broke the left-handed Spaniard in the 10th game to claim the second set and then turned up the pressure with a dazzling display of groundstrokes, accurate serves and touch around the net.

This year's Australian and Wimbledon champion fell behind 0-40 on his serve in the first game of the third set, but from that point on did not lose another point on serve until a mis-hit forehand at 30-0 in the final game of the match.

OFF THE BAT Federer was surprised to hear he had won 35 successive points on serve. ''That's awesome,'' he said.

''I was feeling great on the serve. I was serving well and playing aggressive and things really turned around for me..

''I really enjoyed it because he played very well. Right off the bat he was hitting his best shot and that was tough for me.

I was relieved when I got that second set, no doubt.'' Lopez belted another 11 winners in the dramatic second set, but was undone at the end by a sizzling passing shot by Federer.

''I played a great match, especially in the first set. But in the second set he played unbelievable. If I had won the second set, it might have been harder for him,'' Lopez said.

Federer, who is gunning for his 12th grand slam title, has a 13-1 head-to-head record against 2003 champion Roddick.

''That's a great record,'' said Federer. ''But that doesn't help me. It's a new day. Anything is possible.'' REUTERS SSC RAI1118