By Chris Soderstrom
Andy Roddick dealt lowly compatriot Robby Ginepri a blow at the Lyon Grand Prix Open yesterday with a nail-biting 7-6(5), 7-6(3) victory.
The American No. 1’s serve was his most potent of weapons firing 26 aces and taking his season total to 822 (127 behind Croat giant Ivo Karlovic).
He will now meet Sweden’s Robin Soderling, another fantastic server, for a place in the last four.
Former champion Richard Gasquet suffered a shock 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(5) defeat to Belgium’s Steve Darcis. The Frenchman has failed to win an ATP title since September last year and slumped to a record of 32-22 for the year with his most recent result.
In other matches, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga defeated countryman Fabrice Santoro in three sets while another Frenchman, Gilles Simon overcame Andreas Seppi.