Federer – who booked his place in the quarter-finals of the final 1000 series event of the season – will face Japan’s Kei Nishikori next.
If he triumphs this week in the French capital, it will be his 100th ATP Tour title, leaving him nine short of Jimmy Connors’ record.
Federer has already been granted an exemption at the World Tour Finals in London next week having won a Grand Slam – the Australian Open back in January.
And the former world No 1 has made it clear where his priorities lie going into the final weeks of the season.
“I didn‘t come to Paris to win the tournament, my goal is to win in London,” he said.
Meanwhile, Greg Rusedski expects Federer to book his place in the semi-finals of the Paris Masters providing his serve holds up against Nishikori.
He said: “It’s gonna be a difficult test for Roger.
“He [Federer] didn’t serve very well.
“Nishikori returns a lot better and more consistently than Fognini.
“I think Federer has to up his level.
“Do I expect him to come through? Yes. Will it be tight? Will it be close? Yes.
“But Federer knows what he has to do and he will be much more positive on return and his movement is much better than Kevin Anderson.
“I expect him to come through. I want to see his serve per centage higher 60s to 70 if he does that, he will be comfortable and come through in two sets.”
