Federer looked more assured on the clay than in the first round

World number one Roger Federer brushed aside Victor Hanescu 6-3 6-2 to reach the quarter-finals of the Estoril Open.

The Swiss star, who struggled past Olivier Rochus in the first round, had few problems on the clay this time.

Federer broke the Romanian once to take the first set and twice in the second as he completed victory in an hour in a match played in steady but light rain.

He now faces qualifier Joao Sousa or wildcard Frederico Gil, both of Portugal, in the last eight.

Federer's main threat, world number four Nikolay Davydenko, booked his place in the quarter-finals on Wednesday.

The Russian beat Czech Ivo Minar 2-6 6-2 6-4 in the other half of the draw.

Federer, meanwhile, stepped up a gear in his preparations for the French Open.

Two superb passing shots broke serve in game four and he was only inconvenienced when Hanescu saved three match points in the last game, before an ace finished him off.

"It was rainy throughout the match, that's always a hard thing," Federer said.

"The balls have a very dead feel, the kick serve is non-existent. You have to play in a different way.

"It's not a match to over-rate. It was a solid performance though."

The 26-year-old was watched by Spanish coach Jose Higueras, whom he has linked up with to improve his clay-court game.

The arrangement is on a trial basis initially and Federer added: "So far so good. I'm happy the way it's going and we'll see what happens in the future."