NEW YORK 31 (Reuters) - Roger Federer sprinted into the round of 16 at the US Open on Saturday, beating Adrian Mannarino 6-3, 6-0, 6-2 in just 81 minutes in the final contest on Day Six of the Grand Slam tournament.

The one-sided victory moved Federer, the greatest Grand Slam men's title winner with 17, into a fourth-round clash with Spain's Tommy Robredo, who earlier beat British qualifier Dan Evans.

Federer might not want to get ahead of himself, but it was hard not to notice that he was now one step away from a potential quarter-final showdown with long-time rival Rafael Nadal.

Strange as it may seem for rivals who have squared off 31 times over their careers, five-time US Open champion Federer has never played 2010 winner Nadal at Flushing Meadows.