Open-Federer rises to the challenge of inspired Lopez

NEW YORK, Sept 3 - Top seed Roger Federer shrugged off an inspired first set by Spain's Feliciano Lopez with a brilliant service display to reach the U.S. Open quarter-finals with a 3-6 6-4 6-1 6-4 victory on Monday. Federer, seeking a fourth consecutive title, won 35 points in a row on his serve before the streak was snapped in the last game of the match.

The Swiss master advanced to a quarter-final clash against American Andy Roddick.

The 25-year Lopez, ranked 60th in the world, registered 11 winners in the first set, including five aces, to shock the world number one.

But Federer broke the left-handed Spaniard in the 10th game to claim the second set and then turned up the pressure with a dazzling display of groundstrokes, accurate serves and touch around the net.

"He was playing fantastic for the first two sets, dictating play, serving unbelievable," Federer said after the match.

"But I played great at the end."

Federer, this year's Australian Open and Wimbledon winner, is gunning for his 12th grand slam title. He has a 13-1 head-to-head record against 2003 champion Roddick.

"That's a great record," said Federer.

"But that doesn't help. me. It's a new day. Anything is possible."