Posted at 7:32 a.m., Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Roddick through to quarterfinals of Hypo Group
Associated Press
POERTSCHACH, Austria — Andy Roddick defeated Kristian Pless of Denmark 6-4, 6-3 today to advance to the quarterfinals of the Hypo Group International.The second-seeded American was in control of the match throughout, hitting six aces and dropping only nine points on his serve.
Lleyton Hewitt also advanced with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Potito Starace of Italy. The fourth-seeded Hewitt needed five match points before closing out Starace.
Defending champion Nikolay Davydenko moved on after beating Nicolas Lapentti of Ecuador 6-4, 6-2.
Roddick will face Gael Monfils of France in the quarterfinals. Monfils, who entered the tournament on a wild card, used a strong serve to defeat seventh-seeded Hyung-Taik Lee, 7-6 (5), 6-4 in the second round.
Hewitt plays Diego Hartfield of Argentina. Hartfield defeated Vincent Spadea 6-4, 7-6 (5) in a match that was interrupted because of rain.
Monfils beat Roddick at their last meeting on clay at the 2006 Masters Series in Rome.
Roddick got two break points at 5-4 in the first set, and converted the second as Pless missed a forehand.
The 81st-ranked Pless needed medical treatment on a neck muscle injury early in the second set, and then lost his serve.
"I am serving well, but I am not happy with my performance in return games," Roddick said. "I will have to improve that part of my game to be really successful at a clay surface."
