Roger Federer cruises into next round at French Open

(GETTY IMAGES)

Roger Federer served notice of the danger he could pose at the French Open this year with a stunning performance to beat 29th seed Janko Tipsarevic 6-1 6-4 6-3 in the third round this afternoon.

With Novak Djokovic taking over the fight for world number one with Rafael Nadal, Federer has found himself playing third wheel at the top of the men's game this season.

But, if his form against Tipsarevic is anything to go by, then being out of the limelight has certainly not done the 29-year-old any harm.

The Serb is a talented player who always raises his game against the best, as Federer knew only too well from an epic third-round encounter they had at the Australian Open in 2008.

Many pundits predicted a tough test for the Swiss today but Federer was having none of it and promptly blazed his way through the first set in 19 minutes.

Everything was working perfectly for the third seed, who looked completely at ease on the clay, and he was playing so well that is was a surprise when he missed a few backhands in the second set.

He broke in the fifth game, though, and allowed Tipsarevic only one break point, which he saved with a big serve.

Another break of serve at the start of the third set meant the game was almost up for Tipsarevic, who had lost only 11 games in the first two rounds.

And Federer, who will play either his countryman Stanislas Wawrinka or Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in round four, wrapped up victory after an hour and half when Tipsarevic placed a volley over the baseline.