Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka spared a thought for an absent countryman after he powered through a high-quality match against Czech Tomas Berdych on Tuesday to reach the quarterfinals of the US Open.

The ninth seed beat the fifth seeded Berdych 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 (6), 6-2 in two hours and 47 minutes.

Wawrinka, the player constantly living in the shadow of 17-time Grand Slam winner Roger Federer in his homeland, was blown off the court by Berdych in the first set.

But in a match featuring superb ball striking and a combined 68 winners, Wawrinka's consistency proved the difference against the tall Czech.

He closed out the match by breaking Berdych's serve for the sixth time to set up a quarterfinal against defending champion Andy Murray.

It marks the first time Wawrinka has progressed further at a major championship than Federer.

"It's a different situation, for sure," Wawrinka said. "I'm really happy for myself this year, with what I'm doing right now, but I would prefer to have him still playing in the tournament.

"I watched his match yesterday and it was not that good. I was sad for him, because he's a good friend and I like it when he's winning Grand Slam titles. I hope he will come back stronger."

(China Daily 09/05/2013 page23)