Lleyton Hewitt is pleased with his French Open build-up after reaching the quarterfinals of the Hamburg Masters tennis tournament.

Hewitt set up a semifinal showdown with Roger Federer with a 6-4 6-3 win against Jurgen Melzer from Austria.

Hewitt showed much of his old predatory court coverage against Melzer, timing the ball with increasing fluency on a slightly quicker, drying court.

"I thought I played pretty well out there," said the former Wimbledon and US Open champion.

"I felt I needed the first set and after I got it I played better and better.

"I'm now going to face one of the best players in the world, and I have go out there and play good. It's great preparation for the French Open," he added.

Federer, who holds Grand Slam titles on grass and hard court surfaces, suggested he may be ready to win a clay court grand slam with a powerful victory over Carlos Moya, last week's winner of the Masters Series in Rome.

The world number one from Switzerland rarely put a foot wrong as he overcame the former world number one from Spain 6-4 6-3.

Federer attacked almost as well as clay court expert Moya with inside out forehands to the backhand and deep drives from both wings to each corner, and was the more effective at the net and the more consistent with serve.

"This was a good match and I am happy with it," said Federer, who has been enjoying a rare visit from his mother and sister on tour.

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