Top seeds advance in San Jose
Top-seeded American Andy Roddick booked his place in the quarter-finals of the SAP Open with a 6-2 6-4 victory over in-form Japanese teenager Kei Nishikori.
The 18-year-old Nishikori shocked the tennis world last Sunday when he beat American James Blake in the final at Delray Beach to become the first player from Japan to win an ATP Tour event since Shuzo Matsuoka at Queen’s in June 1992.
But on Thursday, Roddick fired seven aces and converted four of eight break points, to oust Nishikori in an hour and three minutes.
The second-seeded Blake posted a business-like 6-3 6-4 victory over compatriot Jesse Levine during their second-round match.
Blake was forced to save five break points during the match, which he eventually wrapped up in just over an hour.
It was the second straight impressive victory for Blake, who recorded a straight-sets win over Sam Warburg in the opening round here after suffering the stunning loss to Nishikori last week.
Third seed Tommy Haas of Germany did not have the same luck as Blake as he fell to an upset defeat against American John Isner 4-6 7-6 (10/8) 6-3.
Yen-Hsun Lu of Chinese Taipei and American Mardy Fish also advanced with victories over American Wayne Odesnik and German Denis Gremelmayr respectively.
