Dubai: Second seed Roger Federer extended his domination over Feliciano Lopez to ten matches without defeat with a 7-5, 6-3 victory over the Spaniard that eased him into the quarter-finals of the Dubai Duty Free Men's Open here Wednesday night.
Never really threatened by his second left-handed opponent in as many days, Federer maintained his calm and poise to set up a last-eight meeting with Mikhail Youzhny — who had earlier secured an upset 6-2, 7-6 win against eighth seed Mardy Fish.
"It was tough, especially because of the fact that both of us know each other's game so well after having played as juniors," Federer said after beating Lopez.
"He used to beat me as a junior, but thank God I am winning against him now."
Both players started on a sedate note, but with Federer always in control against an opponent who, at times, used the serve and volley technique to perfection.
After both players held serve to the brink of a first set tie-break, the Swiss ambushed Lopez in the 12th game to pocket the set 7-5 in 49 minutes.
In the second set, Federer only had to wait until the eighth game to nip in with a break for a 5-3 lead. He ultimately served out the set and match 6-3 after an hour and 15 minutes on court.
Federer, who will now make his seventh straight quarter-final appearance in Dubai, is focused on unseating top-ranked Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, as well as winning a Grand Slam and an Olympic gold medal in London this season.
"The fact remains that I am playing some of my best tennis, but somehow I didn't win any Majors last season, even though I was very close at the French Open against Rafa," Federer said. "These losses do hurt somehow, but the goal is to continue working hard and hopefully everything will come together at the next Grand Slam or the Olympics. It will be a dream come true."
Also booking his place in the last eight was Juan Martin del Potro, who earned a 6-4, 6-2 win over Andrey Golubev — the last of the qualifiers. Del Potro will next play the winner of last night's late match between Lukas Rosol and fourth seed Jo-Wilfred Tsonga.
