Federer gets free ride to US Open quarters when Mardy Fish withdraws

WORLD No.1 Roger Federer advanced to his 34th consecutive grand slam quarter-final without touching a racquet when Mardy Fish withdrew.

The 31-year-old Swiss star, seeking his 18th grand slam title and sixth US Open crown, moved through to a last-eight match-up against Czech sixth seed Tomas Berdych, who dispatched Spanish 11th seed Nicolas Almagro 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 6-1.

Third seed Andy Murray joined the pair in the quarter-finals after routing Canadian giant Milos Raonic 6-4 6-4 6-2.

The Scot will now face Croatian 12th seed Marin Cilic, who defeated Slovakia's Martin Klizan 7-5 6-4 6-0, for a spot in the semi-finals.

The walkover stretched Federer's record for consecutive quarter-final grand slam appearances in the Open era to 38, three shy of the record 41 achieved by American Jimmy Connors.

Federer, who won his 17th grand slam title in July at Wimbledon, has not dropped a set in the Flushing Meadows fortnight.

Fish missed two months of the season earlier this year because of a heart problem, being hospitalised after the Miami Masters event in March when his heart rate increased to three times its normal resting pace.

Fish, 30, then had a cardiac catheter ablation in Los Angeles on May 23 to address his heart condition.

"I regret that I have to withdraw from the US Open for precautionary measures," Fish said.

"I was reluctant to do so but am following medical advisement.

"I had a good summer and look forward to resuming my tournament schedule in the fall."

Federer said he was sorry to see Fish forced to withdraw from their encounter.

"I am really sorry for Mardy. I just want to wish him a speedy recovery. We all want to see him back on tour soon,'' he said.

Berdych, who took only two hours to reach his first US Open quarter-final, has has lost 11 of 15 career meetings to top seed Federer but won three of his past six meetings.

Those wins included a US Open tune-up last year at Cincinnati and a 2010 Wimbledon quarter-final.

Berdych finally reached the last eight after 10 tries with his 200th career hardcourt triumph. He joined Petr Korda and Ivan Lendl as the only Czech men in the Open era to have reached the quarter-finals at all four grand slam events.

"I'm very happy that I can compete in all Grand Slams at least in quarter-finals. It helps my confidence," Berdych said.

At last January's Australian Open, Berdych was fuming at Almagro, accusing the Spaniard of hitting a ball at his face while he was at the net during a rally in a fourth-round match. The ball struck him in the arm.

Spectators booed Berdych for refusing to shake hands with the Spaniard after the match but the Czech said Almagro's apology was not enough to satisfy him.

Berdych dismissed the acrimonious incident this week as "nothing at all", noting they have since split two ATP matches, although this was their first grand slam meeting since.

They clasped hands after Monday's match at Louis Armstrong Stadium, Almagro flashing a quick smile at his conqueror as they met at the net.

Source