Roger Federer Easily Reaches US Open's 4th Round Roger Federer wanted to make a distinction about the way things have gone for him in 2013. "It's been a tough year," Federer acknowledged, "but it hasn't been a horrible year." He's looking pretty good so far at the U.S. Open, working quickly to move into the fourth round at Flushing Meadows for the 13th consecutive time. Finishing points with early winners from all angles, 17-time Grand Slam champion Federer raced through a 6-3, 6-0, 6-2 victory over 63rd-ranked Adrian Mannarino of France in only 1 hour, 21 minutes Saturday night. Through three matches, Federer has spent 4½ hours on court, dropping a total of only 21 games. You come to New York, and if you're not excited anymore, you're in the wrong place. ... You don't like the sport the way you should," he said. If you don't put in 100 percent effort here or in other places that really you care about, then something's wrong with you. ... I'm just totally excited being here. I have always enjoyed playing here. Have never had a bad tournament at the U.S. Open. This is the 56th consecutive major tournament Federer has entered, tying the men's record held by Wayne Ferreira. Federer won five consecutive U.S. Opens from 2004-08, and next plays 19th-seeded Tommy Robredo of Spain. Federer has won all 10 of their previous matches. "I know his game well," Federer said. If he makes that head-to-head record 11-0, Federer could face 12-time major champion Rafael Nadal in the quarterfinals in what would be the rivals' 32nd meeting - but first at Flushing Meadows. Not only have they met at each of the other Grand Slam tournaments, they've met in the final at Wimbledon, the French Open and Australian Open. I don't look ahead, even though I understand the urge of the press to try to go there already, which is entirely normal. I have gone through that my entire career, people talking about our matches even before the tournament started," Federer said. We're used to it. We know how to handle it. Clearly I think we both hope it's going to happen this time, for the first time in New York. He is seeded No. 7, a year after being No. 1 at Flushing Meadows. Federer won one tournament this season, which would be fine for some guys, but Federer topped 10 titles three times, and hasn't won fewer than three in any season since 2001. Federer has been ranked No. 1 for more weeks than any man in history, but his current spot is his lowest since he was No. He has dealt with pain in his lower back and experimented with using a larger racket head. And his record streak of reaching the quarterfinals at 36 straight Grand Slam tournaments ended with a second-round loss at Wimbledon to an opponent ranked outside the top 100. "I'm still ranked in the top 10," he reminded a reporter who asked about this being a down season by his standards. OK, I have had better years, no doubt about it. But I can still play great tennis and sort of 10 months ago I was world No. Against Mannarino, he compiled a 34-8 edge in winners. "He was playing too good for me, that's for sure," Mannarino said. I was making a lot of mistakes, but that's because of Roger. He's playing too fast. One key: Federer repeatedly whipped deep returns off the left-handed Mannarino's soft second serves. Another: Federer won 36 of 39 points on his first serve.