CINCINNATI: World No.1 Novak Djokovic brushed aside Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka in straight sets to advance to the semifinals of the ATP and WTA Cincinnati Masters Friday.

The top-seeded Serb breezed past Wawrinka with little difficulty in just over an hour, winning 6-4, 6-1 to avenge his defeat to the Swiss in the French Open final.

Roger Federer engineered a 6-1, 6-1 rout in less than an hour, outclassing the big-serving Kevin Anderson to enter the quarter on on Thursday.

Switzerland’s Federer swept the first set in 21 minutes and began the second set with a break of South African Anderson.

“I’m pleased with a rock-solid performance,” said the six-time champion. “I know it’s only the quarters but I’m playing great tennis. I hope I can keep it up tomorrow.”

While the second seed was able to make it all look easy, it was a slog for an exhausted Andy Murray as the third-seeded Montreal title-winner needed a shade under three hours to put down Grigor Dimitrov 4-6, 7-6 (7/4), 7-5.

Dimitrov led a set and two breaks before Murray hauled the second set back. The Bulgarian then owned the third 5-2 but could not close it out despite getting to match point.

Murray gathered the last of his reserves to take the win, his 26th at the tournament, which he won in 2008 and 2011.

Sixth seed Tomas Berdych crushed Spain’s Tommy Robredo 6-0, 6-1.

Frenchman Richard Gasquet knocked out US open winner Marin Cilic, the seventh seed, on the cusp of a Grand Slam title defense, leaving the Croatian hurting after a 7-5, 6-3 loss.

Former champion Rafael Nadal, seeded eighth, lost to Spanish compatriot Feliciano Lopez 5-7, 6-4, 7-6 (7/3) in another night-time marathon.

Women’s holder Serena Williams dispatched Karin Knapp 6-0, 6-2, while sixth seed Ana Ivanovic overhauled Sloane Stephens 2-6, 6-4, 6-1.

“Everyone enjoys easier matches. I think testing is also really important, but at the end of the day if you could have only easy matches for the whole tournament I don’t think anyone would object to that,” Williams said after her stroll in 54 minutes.

Williams won’t get her wish in the next round as she plays former world No. 1 Ivanovic who is having a strong season. It will be a re-run of their final from 12 months ago.

French Open finalist Lucie Safarova advanced to the quarterfinals when injured opponent Belinda Bencic quit trailing 6-2. Jelena Jankovic punished eighth seed Karolina Pliskova 6-2, 3-6, 7-5.

Two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka had to stop with leg pain after being taped at the end of the first set, handing a 1-6, 3-0 win to Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.