Top seed Federer strolls into fourth round

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

INDIAN WELLS, California (Reuters) - Three-times champion Roger Federer barely raised a sweat in brushing aside Frenchman Nicolas Mahut 6-1 6-1 in the Pacific Life Open third round on Tuesday.

The Swiss world number one and top seed, back in action at Indian Wells after recovering from a viral problem, outclassed his opponent in a match lasting 53 minutes on the Stadium Court.

"I enjoy matches like this," Federer told reporters after setting up a fourth-round clash with Croat Ivan Ljubicic who upset 15th-seeded Tommy Robredo 6-3 6-4.

"Having the sensation like I had today towards the end of the second set when you feel everything's going your way, you've got his game perfectly figured out and everything you're trying to do sort of works as well, it's just a good feeling.

"I was really happy to break that often and I had no problems whatsoever on my own serve," added the 26-year-old after unleashing nine aces and winning 23 out of 24 points on his first serve. "It was a perfect match really for me."

Federer, who had competed in only two tournaments this season after succumbing to glandular fever, broke Mahut twice to sweep through the opening set.

The Swiss again broke the Frenchman in the third, fifth and seventh games of the second to ease into the fourth round.

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