The 16-time Grand Slam champion is through to the quarterfinals and in majestic form, but most of his main rivals are too. Only Andy Murray has made an early exit.
Federer booked his place in the last eight with a 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 win over Jurgen Melzer at the Arthur Ashe stadium on Monday without ever having to play at his best.
It will take a mighty performance from his rivals to stop him capturing a sixth title at Flushing Meadows, but there are some willing challengers ahead.
His next opponent is Robin Soderling, the big-hitting Swede who ended Federer's French Open defence earlier in the season.
If he gets through that, Federer could then face Serbia's Novak Djokovic, who beat him in the semifinals at the Australian Open in 2008.
There is also Rafael Nadal, as always, lurking on the other side of the draw if they both reach the final. Federer may be the greatest player of all time but nothing is ever assured.
Soderling and Djokovic also moved through to the quarterfinals by winning on Monday.
Soderling overcame Albert Montanes, one of six Spaniards who made the last 16 of the men's draw, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-3.
It was a workmanlike performance but Djokovic was all class and looks the more threatening. The world number three demolished the improving American Mardy Fish 6-3, 6-4, 6-1 and is steadily building momentum and confidence.
Caroline Wozniacki cleared one of the major hurdles in her bid to win the women's title when she eased past an error-prone Maria Sharapova, who is still battling to regain her best form after struggling with injuries for the past two seasons.
Sharapova was soundly beaten 6-3, 6-4 but contributed to her own downfall with 36 unforced errors and nine double-faults, including three in successive points. Her shrieks echoed around the centre court.
Federer is yet to drop a set in the tournament and hardly got out of second gear against Melzer.
He did have some problems with his serve and was broken once each in the first and third sets but was able to raise his game when it mattered.
Boris Becker, watching from the stands, nodded in approval. After the match, Federer shook hands with Alex Rodriguez and was invited to watch his New York Yankees play.
Djokovic, getting better with each match after a shaky start to the tournament, provided a reminder of the form that saw him reach the final in 2007, then capture his maiden Grand Slam in Melbourne the following year with his best performance of the championship.
A surprise finalist 12 months ago but the top seed this year after the withdrawal of injured world number one Serena Williams, Wozniacki reminded everyone of just how far she has come.
Wozniacki's next opponent is Cibulkova, the only unseeded player left in the women's draw and also the smallest at just 1.61 metres (5-foot-3).
Estonia's Kaia Kanepi recovered from a horrendous start to wear down Belgium's Yanina Wickmayer 0-6, 7-6, 6-1 and reach the last eight against Zvonareva after the Wimbledon finalist outgunned Germany's Andrea Petkovic 6-1, 6-2 in 67 minutes.
Number 12 seed Mikhail Youzhny of Russia reached the quarterfinals with a convincing 7-5, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4, victory over Spain's Tommy Robredo on Tuesday.
Youzhny, a semifinalist here in 2006, successfully landed 62 percent of his first serves and blasted 50 winners to win the fourth-round encounter
Fourth round results (prefix denotes seeding). Men’s singles: 12-Mikhail Youzhny (Rus) bt Tommy Robredo (Esp) 7-5, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4; 2-Roger Federer (Sui) bt 13-Juergen Melzer (Aut) 6-3, 7-6 (7-4), 6-3; 5-Robin Soderling (Swe) bt 21-Albert Montanes (Esp) 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-3; 3-Novak Djokovic (Srb) bt 19-Mardy Fish (US) 6-3, 6-4, 6-1.
Women’s singles: 7-Vera Zvonareva (Rus) bt Andrea Petkovic (Ger) 6-1, 6-2; 1-Caroline Wozniacki (Den) bt 14-Maria Sharapova (Rus) 6-3, 6-4; 31-Kaia Kanepi (Est) bt 15-Yanina Wickmayer (Bel) 0-6, 7-6 (7-2), 6-1.
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