Roddick fights through to semis
(Agencies)
Updated: 2004-07-01 09:26

Andy Roddick reached the Wimbledon semi-finals for the second straight year with a no-nonsense win over Dutchman Sjeng Schalken.

After two tight tiebreak sets, the second seed and US Open champion ran away with the third for a 7-6 7-6 6-3 victory on court one, showboating on match point with a spectacular leaping smash.

"Hey, it was a dog-fight," Roddick said. "I had to work for it out there. That second set tiebreak was huge, coming out straight off a rain break."

Roddick, winner of the Stella Artois championships warm-up event at London's Queen's Club earlier this month, has not lost on grass since he was beaten by champion Roger Federer in the semis here last year.

He avoids the Swiss this year and will meet Croatia's Mario Ancic in the last four. Ancic ousted Tim Henman earlier on Wednesday.

"We played at Queen's," Roddick said. "I won but it was a tough one so should be interesting."

Roddick is yet to lose a set at the grasscourt grand slam and is looking a good bet to add the Wimbledon crown to the U.S. Open title he won last September.

However top seed and champion Roger Federer is likely to be his biggest threat. The Swiss was locked in battle with 2002 champion Lleyton Hewitt on Centre Court.

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