The Swiss icon, an 18-time Grand Slam champion, renewed his rivalry with Spain's Nadal in their first meeting since the epic five-set Australian Open final in January.

It was Federer who prevailed that day and he did so again today, downing the 30-year-old 6-2, 6-3 to reach the last eight.

Thirty-five-year-old Federer has now beaten Nadal three times in a row for the first time in his career after also winning against him in Basle in 2015.

"It's a nice feeling to win the last three, I can tell you that," said Federer, who has been on the comeback trail from a knee injury.

"But most importantly, I won Australia. 

"That was big for me. 

"On the comeback, I look back at that and think that was one of the coolest things I ever experienced in my career."

Nadal conceded he had been beaten by the better player.

"In Australia, it was a very close match," he said.

"I had good chances to win.

"Today, not. 

"Today he played better than me.

"These kind of matches, when you're not playing your match, it is impossible to win.

"When Roger has the advantage, his serve is so good, he has a lot of confidence with his serve, he’s able to play much more relaxed."

Federer will meet Australia's Nick Kyrgios who caused a shock by downing Serbia's world number two Novak Djokovic 6-4, 7-6.

Switzerland's Stan Wawrinka is also through after a 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 win over Japan's Yoshihito Nishioka.

In the women's draw, Czech Republic's Karolina Pliskova made the last four as she edged Spain's Garbiñe Muguruza following two tiebreaks, 7-6, 7-6.

Eighth seed Svetlana Kuznetsova cruised through over fellow Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, winning, 6-3, 6-2.