Roddick Puts US in Davis Cup Semis

[April 14, 2008]  WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. (AP) -- Andy Roddick was handed the large American flag and then just stood there. He wasn't going on a victory lap until his teammates joined him.

Roddick's Davis Cup dominance led the United States to the title last year and his victory Sunday eliminated France and clinched a spot in the semifinals against Spain. But Roddick clearly cherishes the camaraderie of this close-knit bunch.

The same can't be said for France. Not after its top player, Richard Gasquet, begged out of a matchup with Roddick with his country facing elimination.

Behind a blistering serve, Roddick defeated Paul-Henri Mathieu 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 for the deciding victory in the best-of-five quarterfinal. Roddick's second singles victory in three days secured the Americans' sixth straight Davis Cup win, including last year's final over Russia.

"It's nice to get rewarded for all the rough losses that we had, and I've been a part of a lot of big losses for us in Davis Cup," said Roddick, who improved to 29-9 in the competition. "You've got to try to keep an even keel when things are going your way, but obviously it's been fun having won the last six."

A day after a loss by the No. 1 doubles team of Bob and Mike Bryan kept France's hopes alive, Roddick was never threatened in giving the Americans an insurmountable 3-1 lead. While he was held to 17 aces, he lost only 13 points on his serve to improve to 10-0 in clinching situations for the U.S.

"I think everyone makes a big deal about the 10-0 thing," Roddick said. "I have to be up 2-1 in order to clinch, so I've been put in good positions a lot of times."

Roddick fittingly wrapped up the win with an ace down the middle. He then circled the court while passing the flag among the Bryans and James Blake, who later beat Richard Gasquet in the meaningless finale 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-4 to give the U.S. a 4-1 win.

"I don't know why it is, I don't know what brings us all together, but we just have a good time," Blake said.

In other quarterfinals, Russia eliminated the Czech Republic 3-2, and Argentina ousted Sweden 4-1. Spain advanced Saturday and went on to defeat Germany 4-1.

Argentina will host Russia in one semifinal, while the U.S. will visit Spain and Rafael Nadal Sept. 19-21, which almost certainly will be on red clay.

"I know it's not convenient for us. I know we're not going to be the favorites," Roddick said. "But I know we're going to go and we're going to try. The thing about this team is we don't play when it's convenient. That's probably different from some of the other countries."

Roddick was referring to Nadal, who skipped last year's quarterfinal against the U.S. held here. But Gasquet's puzzling behavior could also apply.

Already without Australian Open finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who flew back to Paris on Wednesday after an MRI exam revealed a cartilage tear in his right knee, Gasquet didn't hit the court until France was eliminated.

Gasquet, ranked No. 10, skipped Friday's singles with a blister on his right hand and a sore left knee. And even though Gasquet shocked Roddick in last year's Wimbledon quarterfinals, Gasquet told French captain Guy Forget he didn't want to play Roddick.

"He felt Roddick was playing too good for him and he had probably no chance," Forget said.

Gasquet said he thought the 12th-ranked Mathieu, who wasted two match points before losing to Blake on Friday, had the better shot to beat Roddick.

"Paul-Henri was in better shape than me," Gasquet said. "I hadn't played on the court."

But the 12th-ranked Mathieu proved no match for Roddick. He broke Mathieu five times and won in just more than 90 minutes. He had 30 aces in a straight-sets win over Michael Llodra on Friday and never faced a break point against Mathieu.

"I did not have a broken leg or an arm, so I'm going to go to the court and give it my best," Mathieu said. "But Andy was too good for me today."

Roddick wasn't broken in two matches on the quick, indoor hard-court suited to his style. It continued an exceptional month for Roddick in which he beat the tour's top three players -- Roger Federer, Nadal and Novak Djokovic. Winning 36 of 41 points on his first serve, the result may not have been much different if Gasquet was his opponent.

"I don't think it would have mattered, the way I played today," Roddick said.

The loss, the fourth straight time France has bowed out in the quarterfinals, left questions about whether Forget will select the temperamental Gasquet again.

"Even the way he talks about himself and his game, you feel like he's not really confident," Forget said.

U.S. captain Patrick McEnroe faces no such concerns. It marked a record 10th straight time Roddick, Blake and the Bryans have played together. And despite having to face Spain on clay, a surface that always has frustrated Americans, they'll all gather again in September.

"I've been very lucky as the captain of this team," McEnroe said. "A lot of people say, 'Hey you think these guys are still going to want to play?' To me it was never a question, because these guys just love it. They're so committed."

In Moscow, Russia reached the Davis Cup semifinals for the fourth consecutive year, eliminating the Czech Republic when injured Tomas Berdych quit during the fifth set against Nikolay Davydenko. Russia won the Davis Cup in 2002 and 2006 and was runner-up to the U.S. last year.

In Buenos Aires, Argentina, the Argentines ousted Sweden behind David Nalbandian's five-set victory over Robin Soderling. This was Argentina's 12th straight Davis Cup victory at home since 1998.

At Bremen, Germany, Fernando Verdasco of Spain beat Michael Berrer, and Nicolas Kiefer averted a German shutout by downing Feliciano Lopez.

[Associated Press; By MIKE CRANSTON]

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.