You can often gauge Roger Federer's confidence by the number of times he comes to the net.
Judging by the attacking manner of his 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 victory over Germany's Bjorn Phau here, the world No 1 fancies his chances of claiming his sixth US Open title, which would be a record for the professional era.
He needed just 90 minutes to brush aside the world No 83 after a fine display of volleying. "I like coming forward when I am up," Federer said. "I just try to maintain that. And if things don't work out that way, you can always play it safe again."
Federer, who now faces Spain's Fernando Verdasco, urged the crowd in his post-match interview on court to make life difficult for Bernard Tomic in the Australian's match last night against Andy Roddick, who announced late on Thursday that he would be retiring after this tournament, saying: "I just feel like it's time."
Federer called Roddick "a great champion and a great guy" and added: "I hope you guys make it hard for Tomic. I'm going to be watching."
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