The 19th Grand Slam champion is on course to his 20th after battling it out with Russian Mikhail Youzhny to reach the last 32, where he will face teenage sensation Andrey Rublev in New York.

Playing in his 80th US Open match against familiar opponent Mikhail Youzhny, the duo has faced each other for 17th time include this one and kept his record of winning in one of those intact. However, the match was a straight forward win for the Swiss, the 36-year-old needed a second successive five-setter to reach the third round with a 6-1, 6-7 (3/7), 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 win over the fellow veteran.

The five-time champion had also needed five to see off US teenager Frances Tiafoe in the first round. The 36-year-old next faces another 35-year-old, Feliciano Lopez of Spain, for a place in the last 16. His record against Lopez is just as solid -- 12-0.

While in the other match, Federer’s rival Rafael Nadal escaped a difficult test from World No.121 Taro Daniel to reach the third round. Nadal came back from a set and a break down to eventually win the tie 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, and 6-2, discovering his top form at the critical stage of the match under the lights on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Top seed Nadal booked his spot in the third round for a third straight year, claiming a tour-leading 51st match win of the season. The two-time US Open champion (2010 & '13) will next face lucky loser Leonardo Mayer on Saturday.