Five-time US Open champion Roger Federer has fired a warning to his rivals after claiming he feels excited after breezing past Spain’s Feliciano Lopez.

The Swiss star had been forced into two consecutive five-set matches in his first two rounds but he was too strong for Lopez on Saturday.

Federer was forced to wait until 21.40 local time in New York to start play due to poor weather but the delay did not affect his form.

The 36-year-old powered past his rival in straight sets, securing a 6-3 6-3 7-5 victory. His reward will be a clash against Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber in the last 16 and he admits he is feeling good.

He told reporters: “I’m really excited how I feel after two five-setters. It was clearly nice to go up two sets to love for a change.

Feels different from there. “I needed to get over the fear of the back issue, especially in that first match, the first set.

Then I think the wobble I had in the second round was due to my preparation. “I think now I’m just trusting my movement better. My serve is there. My mind is there.

I can finally focus on playing tennis and not so much about the past.” Top seed Rafael Nadal is also through after he overcame Argentina’s Leonardo Mayer 6-7 (3-7) 6-3 6-1 6-4 in three hours and 16 minutes.

Nadal still leads the betting and he is the 2.40 favourite to win, while Federer can be backed at odds of 3.00.