Roger Federer cruises into last 16 while Rafa Nadal comes from a set behind to move a step closer to blockbuster US Open semi-final
Swiss superstar shook off fears of a back problem with a ruthless win against Feliciano Lopez while Spanish rival was given tough test against Leonardo Mayer
ROGER FEDERER cruised into the fourth round of the US Open.
But Rafael Nadal again had to come from a set down to keep hopes alive of a first ever clash between the great rivals in New York.
Federer shook off fears that his back problem was troubling him with a ruthless defeat of No 31 seed Feliciano Lopez.
He had been taken to five sets in his first and second round matches and had looked vulnerable.
But the Swiss raced into a two-set lead and then kept his concentration to complete a 6-3 6-3 7-5 win.
Nadal's progress was a little less smooth - at least until the world No1 finally managed to break Leonardo Mayer's serve.
The Spaniard created plenty of chance in the first set but could not convert them.
When the Argentinian won the tiebreak, it seemed he could break the hearts of Nadal fans just as he had done to British tennis when he won the deciding rubber in last September's Davis Cup semi final.
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Nadal's progress was a little less smooth - at least until the world No 1 finally managed to break Leonardo Mayer's serve.
The Spaniard created plenty of chance in the first set but could not convert them.
When the Argentinian won the tiebreak, it seemed he could break the hearts of Nadal fans just as he had done to British tennis when he won the deciding rubber in last September's Davis Cup semi final
Nadal, who ran out a 6-7 6-3 6-1 6-4 winner, was pleased to have won again without playing his best tennis for the whole match.
Nadal said: "I overcome a tough situation today. That's very positive for me. I am very happy about this.
"I know I cannot play very well always, and not the whole match.
"But for me the most important thing is I give my best and I played with the right intensity and all the time with the motivation to win the match, even when things were not going very well.
"I hope that last three sets can be a good turning point for me because, in my opinion, I played much better today than the two previous days later in the match.
"You need matches like this. Then now I have the opportunity to compete again, to try to do it well, no?
"I am in the second week. That's the important thing. Already won three matches in a row. That's important news for me."