Paris Masters: Federer defeats Fognini, cruises into Q/finals

Roger Federer moved past Fabio Fognini on Thursday to reach the Paris Masters quarter-finals.

Federer defeated the Italian 6-4, 6-3, as he moved three wins away from his 100th career title.

Federer, 37, who captured his 99th trophy on home ground in Basel last week, will face either Kevin Anderson of South Africa or Japan’s Kei Nishikori on Friday for a place in the semi-finals 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.