Former champion Federer moves into US Open fourth round

Former tennis world number one Roger Federer continued his quest for an 18th grand slam title with a third round victory over Philipp Kohlschreiber. He is on course to meet the top seed Novak Djokovic who plays on Sunday against the Spaniard Roberto Bautista.

Switzerland's Roger Federer has won the US Open five times. Reuters/Adrees Latif

Federer, the second seed, moved into the last 16 at the US Open on Saturday night with a straight sets win over Kohlschreiber, who was seeded 29th..

It was the 10th time the 34-year-old Swiss had beaten the German.

Federer, who has claimed the US Open five times, is attempting to become the oldest champion at the tournament since Ken Rosewall in 1970.

"I won the big points,” said Federer. “I served well when I had to. It was up and down for both of us. Philipp's a great player. I have practiced with him many times so I know how tough he is."

The Swiss is looking to add an 18th Grand Slam title to his impressive trophy cabinet and will next face the 13th seed John Isner. The American progressed after his Czech opponent, Jiri Vesely, retired with a neck injury in the third set.

Elsewhere in the men’s competition, Britain's Andy Murray, the champion in 2012, advanced with a 6-3 6-2 7-5 win over the 30th seed Thomaz Bellucci of Brazil.

Murray, the third seed, will next play the big-serving South African Kevin Anderson after he disposed of the Belgian Dominic Thiem in straight sets.

Stan Wawrinka also accounted for a Belgian. The French Open champion dispatched Rubens Bemmelmans 6-3 7-6 6-4. There were wins too for the Czech sixth seed Tomas Berdych as well as the Frenchman Richard Gasquet. The 12th seed swept past the rising Australian Bernard Tomic 6-4, 6-3, 6-1.

In the women's event, there was a surprise as the British qualifier Johanna Konta upset the 18th seeded German Andrea Petkovic 7-6 6-3 to reach the fourth round of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time.

Konta, 24, will take on the Czech Petra Kvitova for a place in the last eight.