Roger Federer, who will be chasing an 18th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open later this month, breezed through to the Brisbane International men's semi-finals with a 6-1, 6-1 thumping of Australian Marinko Matosevic.
Federer, however, is unlikely to gauge much about where his game stands up against the likes of rivals Rafa Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray after enjoying yet another easy workout in Brisbane.
He was 0-40 down on serve in the first game against Matosevic but survived and did not face another break point as he eased to the most comfortable of victories.
He will now meet eighth seed Jeremy Chardy in the semi-final after the Frenchman beat Australia's Sam Groth 7-5, 6-4.
There is local interest in the other semi-final as Lleyton Hewitt faces number two seed Kei Nishikori of Japan.
Hewitt beat Romania's Marius Copi 6-4, 6-2, while Nishikori topped Croatian Marin Cilic 6-4, 5-7, 6-2.
Image: Roger Federer of Switzerland plays a forehand in his match against Marinko Matosevic of Australia on Thursday
Photograph: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
