By Bill Scott Aug 31, 2008, 19:40 GMT
New York - Holder Roger Federer kept his unforced error count in single figures, turning in a near-flawless performance on Sunday to crush Radek Stepanek 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 and power into the second week of the US Open.
The Swiss second seed is bidding for his fifth straight trophy at Flushing Meadows but has been well overshadowed this season by the exploits of new number one Rafael Nadal, the French Open, Wimbledon and Olympic champion.
The Swiss earned revenge after losing to Stepanek in tiebreak straight sets in Rome last May.
His efficient New York victory quieted the annoying, strutting style of the Czech number 30, still never past the third round at the event.
Federer's comprehensive victory was his 30th straight at the Open, his last loss coming to David Nalbandian in 2003.
Russian fifth seed Nikolay Davydenko, a semi-final loser to Federer at the last two editions, advanced into the fourth round over fellow Russian Dmitry Tursunov 6-2, 7-6 (7-3), 6-3.
Former junior champion Gilles Muller took well over three hours to complete a marathon victory against Spain's Nicolas Almagro 6-7 (3- 7), 3-6, 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (8-6), 7-5.
On the women's side, Jelena Jankovic continued her bid to wrest the number one ranking form compatriot Ana Ivanovic, reaching the second week over Dane Caroline Wozniacki 3-6, 6-2, 6-1.
Jankovic has her chance to return to the position she held in early August before Ivanovic - a second-round upset victim as top seed - took it from her prior to the start of the season's last Grand Slam.
'Little by little every day I feel that I'm getting better and better,' said the Serb. 'Physically I'm moving much better. My condition is getting better and better.
'I'm feeling the shots a lot better than I did, especially in the beginning of the tournament in the first few rounds. 'So that is my goal, to strive to keep improving day by day and try to get my game together again. Think I'm on the right track and look forward to my next match.'
Jankovic had to rally past the teenaged challenger for the second time in as many meetings, both coming at majors.
At Wimbledon, Wozniacki got off to a fast start before begin pegged back by the 23-year-old seed.
'In the first set she played quite solid, putting all these balls back. She didn't make any errors, I was the one who was all over the place,' Jankovic said.
'I couldn't really find my rhythm in these kind of conditions and she took advantage of that.
'I tried to stay composed and calm. I just cruised through the second and third set, and was happy to get through in this way.'
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