New York – To Andy Roddick’s credit, he played nearly flawlessly against Roger Federer, serving brilliantly, returning well, too, and giving tennis’ top player a tough time.
To Roddick’s dismay, it all added up to yet another loss.
In a match as tight as could be for 2 1/2 sets, Federer was barely better on the most important points and emerged to edge Roddick 7-6 (5), 7-6 (4), 6-2 in the quarterfinals, moving two victories away from a fourth consecutive U.S. Open title.
This rematch of last year’s U.S. Open final was hardly the mismatch one might have expected.
“I tried to hang in there,” Federer said. “It was a tough match, I thought. Andy was serving out of a tree.”
That’s for sure.
Banging serves consistently up to 146 mph, Roddick hit 14 aces and didn’t have a double-fault. Then again, Federer came up with 15 aces, also never double-faulted, and erased the only break point he faced, in the second set.
Both played remarkably cleanly, combining for 90 winners (48 for Federer) and 42 unforced errors (18 for Federer).
Federer extended his own record by getting to a 14th consecutive Grand Slam semifinal. That’s where he will meet No. 4 Nikolay Davydenko – against whom Federer is 9-0.
“I’ve got a pretty good record against him. Never lost,” Federer said. “But let’s not get ahead of ourselves.”
Well, let’s, if only for a moment. Should he defeat Davydenko on Saturday, Federer would add to another of his own records by making a 10th straight major final. And a victory Sunday would not only make Federer the first man since the 1920s to win the American Grand Slam four years running, it would give him 12 Grand Slam titles – only Pete Sampras, with 14, won more.
Earlier, Venus Williams waited to crack a smile until her victory was complete.
That’s when Williams simply could not help but grin – as she walked to the net for a handshake, as she waved to the crowd, as she spoke about reaching her first U.S. Open semifinal since 2002. And, certainly, as she thought about getting a crack at the player who eliminated her sister.
Williams turned her game on when she needed to and was stronger down the stretch, beating No. 3-seeded Jelena Jankovic 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (4).
Next up is a semifinal against No. 1 Justine Henin. Know this: Venus Williams watched Henin beat Serena Williams on Tuesday and wants to right the wrong.
“I wasn’t happy with that result at all. I was sad that she lost,” Venus said.
The other semifinal has 2004 Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova against No. 6 Anna Chakvetadze.
U.S. Open / At a glance
On court today: No. 3 Novak Djokovic vs. No. 17 Carlos Moya, No. 15 David Ferrer vs. No. 20 Juan Ignacio Chela.
TV: USA, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. (live), 5-9 p.m. (live), 12-2 a.m. (tape).
