Federer reaches US Open last 16

NEW YORK: Five-time champion Roger Federer defied 32-degree heat and crushing humidity to reach the US Open last 16 Saturday

Top seed Federer, bidding to be the first six-time winner in 87 years, defeated Spanish 25th seed Fernando Verdasco 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 in a shade over two hours to make the last 16 for the 12th successive year.

The Swiss next faces American 23rd seed Mardy Fish, who beat Gilles Simon, the French 16th seed, 6-1, 5-7, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3.

Fish prevailed in a match which finished after 0100 local time Sunday morning despite hitting 74 unforced errors.

Federer only faced one break point against Verdasco, a player he has now defeated five times in five meetings.