Federer, Djokovic gain U.S. Open quarters

NEW YORK, Sept. 6 (UPI) -- Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic each notched straight-set, fourth-round wins Monday to vault into the U.S. Open quarterfinals.

Second-seeded Federer fired 10 aces in downing No. 13 seed Jurgen Melzer 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 in Monday's evening match at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Federer racked up 41 winners and took 77 percent of his first-serve points to withstand a second-set challenge and pull away for the victory, reaching the quarterfinals for the 10th straight year.

Federer won the U.S. Open from 2004-2008 and was the runner-up last year.

The Swiss superstar now goes on to face fifth-seeded Robin Soderling, who defeated Albert Montanes 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-3, to gain a spot in the quarters.

Djokovic, meanwhile, had little trouble with American Mardy Fish, defeating him 6-3, 6-4, 6-1. Fish had won 18 of his previous 20 matches, including a pair of titles, but Djokovic prevailed Monday in 1 hour, 50 minutes, racking up six service breaks against the American.

With the win, Djokovic advances to his fourth straight U.S. Open quarterfinal. The Serbian star is on a long hot streak, reaching at least the quarters in 13 of his last 15 Grand Slam events.

Next up for him will be Frenchman Gael Monfils, who Monday gained his first-ever U.S. Open quarterfinal with a hard-fought 6-4, 7-5, 7-5 victory over French compatriot Richard Gasquet.

The 17th-seeded Monfils piled up 14 aces and broke Gasquet's serve five times.