The first set went by in a blur with Federer slipping off his white top and trousers and proceeding to play a pristine set.

The set lasted 19 minutes, Federer breaking in the fourth and sixth games and putting together a string of 11 consecutive points.

Those were the statistics. The ease with which he secured that domination, however, was most impressive.

Not that it was a perfect Federer display. He answered the call of the wild himself in the second game of the second set when he lost his serve for the first time this tournament, slugging wayward forehands and backhands beyond the lines.

Such rare lapses need to be capitalised upon. Instead Safin lost his very next service game and Federer resumed control.

A bad bounce which saw Safin flailing at fresh air on the baseline did not improve the Russian's mood.

At least, after losing the second set, Safin did demonstrate that along with his passion for fast cars he does, after all, have pride in the day job.

He did so by taking a high-class third set to a tie-break which Federer took 7-4 when Safin missed an easy volley and resumed his wild ways.

Next up for the champion is Germany's Tommy Haas and it would be a brave or foolish man who would bet against win number 52.