Roddick reaches Wimbledon quarterfinals
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-06-29 10:08

The last time many fans saw Andy Roddick with a trophy, it was falling out of an overhead bin on an airplane and hitting him in the head. The TV ad still airs often, and Roddick was asked about it Monday after reaching the Wimbledon quarterfinals.

Andy Roddick, of the USA, returns to Guillermo Coria, of Argentina, on Court 1 at Wimbledon Monday, June 27, 2005. Rodddick won 6-3, 7-6 (1), 6-4. [AP]

"Every place I go, it's the first time they've ever seen it," Roddick said. "I've been watching that thing for a year now."

The second-seeded Roddick hopes to fly home next week with his first Wimbledon trophy. He's three wins away and faces frequent practice partner Sebastien Grosjean on Wednesday.

It has been 21 months since Roddick won his only major title at the 2003 U.S. Open, but he said he doesn't get much teasing about the TV ad for a credit card company.

"Not really — just the question, `Did you really get hit in the head with the trophy?'" Roddick said. "It's great. Every six months I get a new person: `Did you really get hit in the head?'

"No."

A lump on the head isn't the reason Roddick has come up short in recent major events. His fortunes turned on a handful of points: Four of his past six Grand Slam losses have gone five sets.

That made his second-round, five-set victory over Daniele Bracciali especially sweet. He beat No. 15 Guillermo Coria 6-3, 7-6 (1), 6-4 in the fourth round Monday and acknowledged the title being on his mind.

"It's close, but it's far, if that makes sense," Roddick said. "I'm not good enough to overlook the next two matches. I have to get through these first."

Potential remaining obstacles include nemesis Roger Federer, who claimed his second successive Wimbledon title by beating Roddick in last year's final. Federer swept 2003 French Open champion Juan Carlos Ferrero on Monday and will next play 21st-seeded Fernando Gonzalez, the first Chilean to reach the men's quarterfinals since 1985.

"Once every 20 years," Gonzalez said. "I hope that we don't have to wait 20 more years to have another one in the quarters."

The other quarterfinal in Federer's half of the draw will be between 2002 champion Lleyton Hewitt and No. 26 Feliciano Lopez, the first Spaniard to reach the men's quarterfinals since 1972.

"He's dangerous," third-seeded Hewitt said. "He can mix it up, serve-volley, stay back. He's a lot different than the traditional Spanish players."

Lopez reached the final eight at a major event for the first time thanks to a deceptive left-handed serve.

"I haven't served that many aces in this tournament," he said. "But I'm serving very good. It's not that important only to ace; it's also important where you're serving to play the next shot."

In the semifinals, Roddick would face No. 12 Thomas Johansson or No. 18 David Nalbandian. But first he must get past Frenchman Grosjean, a semifinalist the past two years.

"He has proven that he's one of the top five grass-courters in the world," Roddick said. "But I'm playing pretty well. I feel confident."

Before moving to Austin, Texas, Roddick lived near Grosjean in Boca Raton, Fla., and they frequently practice together on the road.

"We joke a little bit," Grosjean said. "He's a really nice guy. I like to practice with him because he puts a lot of intensity on the practice."

It's the same at Wimbledon, where Roddick is 15-2 in the past three years. The slick grass makes his 135-mph serve especially effective, but his fondness for the place goes beyond the surface.

"It's not only a tennis tournament," he said. "It's a place to go, a place to be. When you drive home, you see the people queuing.

"You see the vines on the wall. They've upheld traditions. They have such a great blend of old and new traditions. It's a special place."

In women's play Monday, two-time champion Venus Williams reached the quarterfinals by beating Jill Craybas 6-0, 6-2. Craybas had upset Williams' sister, Serena, less than 48 hours earlier.

Defending champion Maria Sharapova was one of four Russians to reach the final eight, a Grand Slam record. Also advancing were Frenchwomen Mary Pierce and Amelie Mauresmo, along with top-ranked Lindsay Davenport.

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