Federer claimed the win on his second chance two games later in just over two and a half hours.

'I was pretty happy the way I played today,' said 2001 champion Hewitt, a year after hip surgery last summer that resurrected his career. 'I'm happy the way that I played the last couple of weeks.

'Against Roger, you can't really play the style of tennis that you want to play out there. That's the hard thing.

'When he is able to play the way he wants to play and dictate terms, he's going to be very tough to beat.'

The win puts Federer into the second week of the Slam where he last lost in 2003. He will face the winner from Spain's Tommy Robredo and American James Blake.

The Swiss ended with a high unforced error count totalling 59 - more than 30 off his dependable forehand side - while striking 15 aces and 51 winners.

Federer improved his record at the Open to 48 wins and four defeats as he aims for a 16th career Grand Slam title.

The Swiss guaranteed himself a lock on the number one ranking through the victory, keeping Andy Murray at bay no matter how far the Scot progresses.

In women's play, Nadia Petrova will face off in the fourth round against American surprise packet Melanie Oudin, who stunned 2006 champion Maria Sharapova 3-6, 6-4, 7-5.

The Russian three-time Grand Slam winner took treatment on her upper arm in the third set and was plagued by a demoralising 21 double-faults.

Oudin, 17, has duplicated her Wimbledon round of 16 showings and was in complete shock after adding the Russian to a hit list that began with fourth seed Elena Dementieva.

'I fought as hard as I could, I just can't believe this. I've always been so competitive. I really have belief. I got lucky in the third set as Maria double-faulted. But I was putting pressure on her second serve.'