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Roddick reaches quarters as Blake rues lost chance

Andy Roddick led a trio of young Americans into the quarter-finals of the US$2.45 million Cincinnati Masters Series with a 7-6, 6-2 victory over compatriot James Blake on Thursday.

Roddick, 20, billed as the player most likely to emulate Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi, is enjoying the form of his life but said the unseeded Blake, his friend and Davis Cup team mate, had "played better for much of the match."

The seventh seed, seeking back-to-back Masters Series titles having won in Montreal last week, was indebted to Blake's inconsistencies early on but, once the first set was secured, he left his opponent in his wake.

Roddick could become the new leader of the Champions Race if he wins this week, and his latest triumph in front of a packed center-court crowd came after fellow Americans Robby Ginepri and Mardy Fish had also advanced.

Argentine sixth seed Guillermo Coria progressed together with compatriots David Nalbandian and Mariano Zabaleta but, with the US Open coming up, it was the US feeling particularly pleased.

Zabaleta beat Brazilian Flavio Saretta 6-7 6-2 6-4 in the evening session to set up a meeting with world number four Roddick.

Blake missed chances in an explosive, although ultimately disappointing, clash with Roddick.

Riding an upsurge in form, the 23-year-old began aggressively, attacking the Roddick serve and demonstrating his athleticism with one stunning forehand pass on the stretch that helped earn three break points at 2-2.

But Roddick snuffed out the danger and Blake never truly reprised his threat.

"I showed in the first set that Andy is beatable," Blake said. "But you don't get many chances."
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