Wednesday, 5 September 2007
Andy Roddick carries American hopes into the last eight of the US Open against defending champion and world number one Roger Federer.
It is a replay of last year's final, which Federer took in four sets.
Earlier this year the Swiss star thrashed Roddick 6-4 6-0 6-2 in the Australian Open last four.
"He got on a hot streak and was able to reel off some breaks. Once Roger gets momentum, it's tough to play catch up," said Roddick, the world number five.
Federer holds a 13-1 head-to-head lead but Roddick, who saw opponent Tomas Berdych retire injured in the second set in his last match, is remaining positive.
"I think you feel extra weight from most big matches, but I'm excited to play him," he said.
"I haven't been tested much this tournament so far - I haven't really played a long, extended match."
When Federer won last year's encounter between the two he became the first man to win the Wimbledon and US Open titles back-to-back three years in a row.
Tommy Haas, who beat America's other hope in James Blake, meets fourth-seeded Russian Nikolay Davydenko.
Both of Haas' last two matches have gone to five sets, while Davydenko has yet to drop a set at Flushing Meadows.
However, the two needed five sets to decide their US Open meeting a year ago as well as at this season's Australian Open.
Russian Davydenko won last year's contest after storming back from two sets down to earn his first US Open semi-final berth, but Haas avenged his loss in the quarter-final in Australia.
Other than Federer, the highest ranked player left in the men's draw is Novak Djokovic after world number two Rafael Nadal was beaten in four sets by fellow Spaniard David Ferrer in Tuesday's night match.
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