Paris: Roger Federer defeated Italy’s Fabio Fognini 6-4, 6-3 Thursday to reach the Paris Masters quarterfinals as the Swiss great moved three wins away from his 100th career title.
The 37-year-old Federer, who captured his 99th trophy on home ground in Basel last week, will face Japan’s Kei Nishikori late Friday night for a place in the semifinals in the French capital.
Third seed Federer is playing the Paris Masters for the first time since 2015 and is bidding to clinch the tournament for just the second time after winning it in 2011.
“I didn’t come here to win Paris, actually. My objective is London,” said Federer as he looked beyond the French capital to the season-ending ATP World Tour Finals which starts November 11.
The 10th seed Nishikori made the last eight by beating Kevin Anderson 6-4, 6-4 to avenge his defeat to the big South African in Sunday’s Vienna final.
Federer leads Nishikori 6-2 in career meetings having won their last four clashes. The Japanese’s last win over the 20-time major winner came in 2014.