Live Commentary: Roger Federer vs. Richard Gasquet - as it happened

Good evening (or morning) tennis fans! Welcome to Sports Mole's live text commentary of Richard Gasquet vs. Roger Federer in the quarter-finals of the US Open. The weather in New York has been somewhat turbulent over the cause of the day, but the skies have calmed - for now at least - and so the show will go on, an hour earlier than originally intended.

This game has the potential to be a cracker. 12th seed Gasquet has performed well so far in the US Open, and produced a shock to upstage Tomas Berdych last time out in four sets. As for Federer - what can I say? The five-time champion has had an impressive tournament so far, and beat John Isner in straight sets last time out.

The world number two has just spoken to ESPN ahead of the match, on Gasquet: "He's playing very well, I really think it's linked to confidence and shot selection at the right times." And on himself: "The match was great against Isner, it was tough, I played well... I hope I can keep going here."

The players are on the court, and after a warm-up the action should be under way soon...

In 16 attempts, Gasquet has only beaten Federer twice - the most recent being at the Rome Masters in 2011. This is the first time that the two have met at the US Open, where the Frenchman made his best appearance two years ago, reaching the semi-finals.

One minute until the match begins. Can Federer progress as expected, or will Gasquet maintain his good 2015 form tonight?

Here we go! Federer to serve first...

The world number two kicks things off with an ace, before producing a neat forehand drop shot to go 30-0 up. Federer's serve looks good, and Gasquet twice struggled to return it as the Swiss maestro takes the first game.

Mistake by Federer, as his attempted backhand goes beyond the whitewash, before Gasquet forces another error to go 40-0 up. Federer recovers with some great movement, before hitting a forehand shot across court to take a point, before he gains another with a neat backhand from the baseline. Gasquet takes the game though with a big serve that asks too much of Federer.

Another ace kicks off the game, before Federer moves 30-0 up after a great switch across court, forcing Gasquet to react with an error. A third ace of the match follows, but Gasquet recovers with a terrific forehand drop shot that sends Federer the wrong way, but he wraps up the game with another ace. Intriguing start to the match, both players showing positive signs.

Gasquet forces an error from his opponent to take the lead, but Federer responds as the Frenchman ends a rally with an error. Gasquet hits a superb backhand shot beyond Federer to go 30-15 up, before a Federer error takes that score to 40. Gasquet wraps the point up after an impressive rally.

A tale of three aces! Federer's service is on form and looks ferocious, as the Swiss player takes the last three points with some huge shots. Both players looking strong on serve so far, but something's got to give eventually.

BREAK! Right on cue! Gasquet lofts a shot straight in the air - we think it landed somewhere in Flushing Meadows but we're not too sure. He goes 0-15 down, before Federer moves further ahead with another error from the Frenchman. The world number two takes another point, but Gasquet recovers. Another error gives Gasquet his second point, but Federer clinches the break at the third time of asking with a great drop shot from the net. Superb from Federer!

Superb from Federer, who executes a perfect drop with just the right amount of spin to give Gasquet no chance and move into the lead. The Frenchman responds with an impressive volley though, before a rare double fault gives Gasquet a 30-15 lead. An ace levels it up, before a forehand smash nudges the favourite ahead. The Swiss star's serve proves too much for Gasquet to handle, and the final point goes his way. Roger's turning on the style here.

Federer is finding his range, playing some great stuff from the baseline that leaves Gasquet with little to do but make two errors. 30-0 to the Swiss. The veteran moves further ahead with a superb backhand winner, but Gasquet recovers, and hits an ace to move to within a point of Federer. At the third break point attempt, Federer hits a backhand out, before Gasquet takes the advantage. The Frenchman brings it back to deuce with an error though, only to take advantage again as Federer hits the net with a backhand pass attempt. Again he can't get over the line though - making an error after some good work by Federer at the baseline - but he takes advantage for a third time with a Federer mistake. Gasquet finally wraps it up after playing Federer into the corner, leaving him with too much to get a shot away.

SET! Advantage Federer! The world number two hits some smart shots to take the game and the first set, including a perfect pass shot to go 40-30 up. Roger wraps it up with a brilliant forehand shot across court.

Federer is good value for his first set lead in my book, hitting an incredible eight aces to Gasquet's one. The Swiss star has hit 17 winners to Gasquet's four too. He's looking good, as he has done for much of this tournament and indeed the year. Can he carry on this stellar performance in the rest of the match?

Gasquet responds well in this game, forcing Federer into three errors to go 40-0 up with some teriffic service. Gasquet takes the game in the same form. That was better from the Frenchman.

A superb forehand from Federer at the net gives him the lead, before a backhand pass just edges past Gasquet for the second point. Ace number nine from Federer takes him to 40-0, before ace number 10 gives him the game.

BREAK! A double fault gives Federer the lead, before some terrific work at the baseline forces Gasquet into an error. The Frenchman recovers, only for Federer to move into the net after a long rally and fire a backhand beyond his opponent. A superb forehand pass gives Federer the game and the break. Roger's looking good here.

A backhand pass gives Federer the lead, before he moves into the net for his second point, hitting a forehand across court. The 34-year-old gives away a point with a double fault, but responds with another ace. The game is Roger's with a Gasquet error.

Gasquet races to a 30-0 lead, before Federer responds with a perfectly-weighted backhand shot that bounces and drops before the feet of his opponent. Federer then levels it up with a forehand winner, before an error takes Gasquet to 40-30. The game is Gasquet's as Federer's return slices the net.

An impressive forehand shot gives Gasquet a 30-0 lead on Federer's serve, but the Swiss responds and levels with two forced errors from his opponent. A smash at the net nudges Federer in front for the first time in the game, only for a forehand winner attempt to hit the alley and bring deuce. Federer takes advantage as Gasquet struggles to respond to his service, before the game is completed with another error. A test for Federer this game, but he's found his way through it.

Aggressive play by Federer sees him move to the net, but his forehand effort goes out. The Swiss recovers with a neat backhand block that goes beyond the reach of Gasquet, before he moves into the lead with an error from the Frenchman. Federer moves to 40-15 up after Gasquet hits a forehand return beyond the baseline of his opponent, but Federer cannot break at the first attempt. An error from the world number two then levels the scores - so frustrating for Federer! Gasquet hits a powerful serve that Federer cannot control, before doing the same to wrap the game up. After two break points, there's nothing to show for Federer - surely Gasquet can take some confidence from this?

Federer with what seems an easy chance for the drop shot - but he hits the net! The Swiss recovers with a volley, before an ace moves him 30-15 in front. Gasquet recovers as Federer hits a backhand shot beyond the tramlines, only for the Frenchman to then do the same. Federer brings deuce with a sloppy backhand that lands beyond the baseline, but takes advantage with a backhand drop at the net. A forced error after a big serve gives Federer the game.

BREAK SET! A superb forehand block from Federer gives him the lead, before a backhand winner at the net moves him 30-0 up. Federer attempts a backhand pass, but the ball goes out, and Gasquet levels with another Federer error. Gasquet hits the net from a rally though, giving the Swiss a set point attempt, and a double fault clinches it for Federer!

Two sets down, one to go for Federer? Or can Gasquet come back and take something? The stats would suggest otherwise - Federer leads 12-1 on aces and 35-5 on winners.

Federer kicks off the third set with a forehand pass, before Gasquet recovers despite some good work from the Swiss to hit a lob from the baseline. Another forehand is well placed by Federer to move ahead, before yet another ace. The game is Federer's with another forehand winner. Superb stuff from the world number two!

BREAK! A backhand pass gives Federer an early lead, before an intelligently-placed forehand shot sends Gasquet to the corner and forces a poor effort from the Frenchman, who goes 0-30 down. Another error takes the score to 40 and gives the Swiss three break point opportunities, but he only needs one as Gasquet hits a forehand shot beyond his opponent's baseline.

He is just too good! Terrific play at the net gives Federer a lead, before he lobs a cheeky forehand shot just over the net from the baseline, giving Gasquet no chance. Then comes another ace, before a rare error gives Gasquet his only point. Yet another ace wraps it up.

Gasquet hits a superb backhand winner to take the score to 15-15, before nudging ahead with a Federer error. Gasquet moves to 40-15 after forcing an error with a good serve, before wrapping up the game.

Federer hits a superb backhand shot from the net that leaves Gasquet with no opportunity to reach the ball, and takes the score to 30-0. Good work by Federer at the net forces an error from Gasquet, before a superb backhand pass wins the game.

BREAK! Federer hits the alley to go 0-15 down, but hits a superb backhand winner to level the score. A Gasquet error moves the Swiss star into the lead, before the Frenchman hits a backhand effort beyond his opponent's baseline to give Federer two break point opportunities. Gasquet recovers with the first, but Federer makes no mistake with the second, hitting a neat volley at the net.

GAME SET MATCH! An ace takes Federer to 30-15 up, before a superb forehand winner moves the score on to 40. Federer misses the first match point opportunity, but takes the second by forcing an error. A superb performance by Federer tonight, who looks arguably the strongest of any contender at Flushing Meadows this year!

Federer is looking really good right now. The world number two is not playing like a 34-year-old. Could he win another title at Flushing Meadows this year?

You can read a full report of how Federer took the win tonight HERE.

That's it from me this morning - an unusually early one, but with Federer in this form that can come as no surprise! Thanks for your company over the last ten hours, goodnight!