ATP News : 2006


Roddick Ends Becker's Run; Nadal To Play Youzhny

Ninth-seeded Andy Roddick moved into the US Open quarterfinals by dismissing German qualifier Benjamin Becker 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 in one hour and 35 minutes

www.atptennis.com The No.2 American, who won the US Open title in 2003 (d. Ferrero), notched his 349th career win (now 349-107). With today's win Roddick also improved his 2006 hard court record to 30-7 (222-63 in his career).

The US Open Series champion fired 19 aces (compared to Becker's nine) and hit 32 winners while making only nice unforced errors throughout the match.

For a spot in the semis Roddick will battle the 2001 champion Lleyton Hewitt who needed three hours and 33 minutes to defeat No.1 Frenchman Richard Gasquet 6-4, 6-4, 4-6, 3-6, 6-3.

After jumping to a two-set lead, Hewitt seemed to be on cruise control to post a straight sets win over the No.25 seed. However Gasquet broke the former World No.1 at 5-4 in the third (after trailing the game by 40-0) to take the set 6-4. In the fourth set, Gasquet broke Hewitt at 4-3 and held serve once more to take the match into a decisive fifth set, in which Hewitt kept chasing balls while Gasquet broke down, cramping on his right thigh to hand the set 6-3 to the No.15 seed.

The Australian, who has advanced to the quarterfinals of the US Open in seven of his career eight apperances, improved to 38-6 at the last major of the season and to 21-8 in five-set matches.

Second-seeded Rafael Nadal knocked out Czech Jiri Novak 6-1, 7-6(3), 6-4 for a place in the quarterfinals of the US Open where the Spaniard will meet Mikhail Youzhny.

Nadal, the only left handed player left in the draw, won 80 of point on first serve, hitting 46 winners and 31 unforced errors, while Novak won just 13 of 31 points on second serve. Nadal's 51st win of the season came in two hours and ten minutes.

The World No. 2 has won five titles this season in Dubai, ATP Masters Series Monte Carlo, Barcelona, ATP Masters Series Rome and Roland Garros. In July, the 20-year-old reached the Wimbledon final losing to ATP World No. 1 Roger Federer.

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