By Chris Soderstrom
Four-time defending champion Roger Federer blew rowdy Czech Radek Stepanek off the court in a promising third round match at Flushing Meadows.
Hoping to equal the 1924 record of five consecutive US Open titles set by Bill Tilden, the second-seeded Swiss star cruised to a comfortable 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 victory.
The 27-year-old extended his run at the US Open to 30 wins and believes another title at the final major of the year would put him back on track.
“I would think so. That’s the advantage I have,” said the Swiss man, whose record 237 week stay as World No. 1 came to an end last month to Rafael Nadal.
“If I win a big tournament, right away I have the invincibility factor again. I almost had it at Wimbledon. I would hope to go a step further and have that invincibility factor again.”
Federer will play Igor Andreev in the round of 16 after the Russian upset 13 th seeded Spaniard Fernando Verdasco.
Meanwhile, Jelena Jankovic has her sights set firmly on regaining the No. 1 ranking after defeating Caroline Wozniacki 3-6, 6-2, 6-1.
The door has been left ajar for Jankovic, Serena Williams, Elena Dementieva and Dinara Safina to claim the top ranking after top seed Ana Ivanovic and third seed Svetlana Kuznetsova stumbled early.