French Open - World number one Roger Federer reached the last eight of the French Open after disposing of a battling Mikhail Youzhny 7-6 6-4 6-4.

It was the tenth meeting between the players, with the Swiss having won every one of the previous encounters on all surfaces. Youzhny displayed a determination to finally triumph over the master, but did not quite have enough.

"He's an excellent player, I knew that," Federer said afterwards of his opponent. "He's dangerous on every surface, he moves well, and I knew I had to be careful."

Federer started slowly, conceding the first game on his serve as Youzhny kept his strokes low and simple. The score was soon 2-0 as the Swiss appeared restless.

He soon found his feet to keep in touch with Youzhny and broke to level matters at 3-3. Although both players were striking the ball well in entertaining rallies, Federer's shots had the greater width and were generally more demanding.

That said, Youzhny matched him stroke for stroke as they held consistently to the tie-break. Federer kept his nerve to move a set ahead, the score 7-3 by the end after a flurry of points won by the receiving player.

Despite the quality of some of Federer's strokes - he conceded fewer unforced errors in the first set - he could not match Youzhny's winners as the Russian gave everything in search of a first victory over his nemesis at the tenth attempt.

Federer took the lead on Youzhny's serve at the beginning of the second set, the only break as Federer emerged triumphant 6-4. His opponent had to survive three break points after the first game to remain in the set, ultimately won as the Swiss dominated in terms of winners; however he also committed more unforced errors.

This turnaround demonstrated Federer's willingness to throw caution to the wind and attack while Youzhny preferred a more conservative approach to the way in which he had begun the match.

In the final set he reverted again to his attacking instincts. This failed him initially as Federer managed another early break; however he came straight back to level with a break of his own.

His outbursts, both negative and positive, were met with ice-cool glances across court from Federer. That steely determination was most apparent in his play when 0-40 and two games to one down: he put away point after point to leave Youzhny wondering just what he had to do to defeat him.

"He challenged me at first and I had to stay calm and react, which I did," Federer reflected. "I am pleased with my match."

The decisive break arrived to put Federer 4-3 ahead and, although Youzhny fought gallantly and won break points in the last game, he could not save the match and went down 7-6 6-4 6-4.

The victory sets up a meeting for Federer with Tommy Robredo in the quarter-finals who crushed Italy's Filippo Volandri 6-2 7-5 6-1.

Jonathan Symcox