Indian Wells Masters: Roger Federer storms into quarters with convincing straight-set win over Jeremy Chardy

World No. 1 Roger Federer continued his stellar run at the Indian Wells Masters as he beat Frenchman Jeremy Chardy in straight sets to book a place in the quarter-final berth on Wednesday.

The 36-year-old Federer, who clinched his 20th Grand Slam by winning the Australian Open in January, is off to an unbeatable run in 2018 with a 15-0 record.

It is his best beginning to the season since 2006 when he started 16-0 and won 33 of his first 34 matches. "It has been great. It is a totally different year, and so many years after that," he said.

"For so many years I have felt good actually in Australia already. "I don't know if it's Australia per se or, taking the benefits from the hard work I put into the new season."

Federer, who also won at Rotterdam in February, is gunning for a record sixth Indian Wells title. "Yeah, and then also Rotterdam was great. I was very happy that I was able to win the tournament there, not just get to the semis and get world No. 1.

"And here now I'm relieved that I was able to win three matches already. Because in a big, tough draw like here at Indian Wells, you're never quite sure what to expect.

"So I'm just happy I'm on a good run."
The defending Indian Wells champion Federer put on a serving clinic against Chardy as he hit two aces and won 100 percent of his first serve points. He dropped just three serve points overall with those coming on his second serve.

Federer advances to the quarter-finals where he will face South Korea's Chung Hyeon who defeated 30th-seeded Pablo Cuevas 6-1, 6-3 earlier on Wednesday.Federer only needed to break Chardy once in each set to get the win in 82 minutes.

The first break of serve came in the 11th game of the opening set to take a 6-5 lead. In the second set he broke Chardy in the ninth game to lead 5-4. Each time he got the break he then served for the set.

Federer clinched the victory on the first match point when Chardy pounded a forehand into the net. Chardy hit four aces but made 46 unforced errors compared to just 29 for Federer.