Roddick, Isner Dominate In Winston-Salem

By James Waterson                   Photo Credit: Tony Chang/ Chang Photography

(August 24, 2011) Andy Roddick advanced to his first quarterfinal since June after he dismissed 56th-ranked Santiago Giraldo of Columbia 6-1, 6-3 at the Winston-Salem Open Wednesday.

Although Roddick is known for his big serve and explosive backhand, the American No. 2 played a cerebral match. He kept the ball to Giraldo's weaker side, the backhand, and used a variety of spins to keep the Columbian off balance.

The American's serve allowed him to work the point to his favor, and Giraldo lacks the weapons to trouble Roddick on his serve.

This led to Roddick winning 80 percent of his service points as well as almost half of his returning points. He also broke Giraldo four times, and was able to wrap up the match in just over an hour.

Roddick moves on to face seventh-seeded Juan Monaco, who was just as dominant in his 6-0, 6-3 victory against Japan's Kei Nishikori earlier in the day.

Monaco, who has had his best results on clay, has never played Roddick before.

Meanwhile, Another American, 28th-ranked John Isner, hit 10 aces and lost only seven points on serve en route to a 7-6 (4), 6-2 win against Jarkko Nieminen of Finland.

"It was pretty solid, same score as yesterday," Isner said. "It took me a while to get used to how he was playing. From 4-4 in the tie-break, that’s when I really kicked up. I was kind of on my way from there. I held serve comfortably today and that just puts so much pressure on my opponents. I’m very fortunate to have my serve."

Isner faces 2006 Australian Open finalist Marcos Baghdatis, who is ranked No. 60. Baghdatis came back from a 5-3 deficit to 102nd-ranked Steve Darcis of Belgium to win 7-5, 6-0.

The American has won both of their previous matches, including this year's encounter at the Rogers Cup, in straight sets.