Andy Roddick Cements Place At O2

Andy Roddick cemented his place at the ATP World Tour Finals as he saw off Ernests Gulbis in straight sets - which Fernando Verdasco lost his match with Gael Monfils.

The Roddick/Gulbis clash was the first of the third round matches to get underway yesterday and it was Roddick's serve that was in full flow in that opening set.

He comfortably took the opener 6-3 and looked in full control of the match. But Gulbis battled hard in the second and managed to stay with the American and keep his own serve under control.

Gulbis forced a tie break when they were still locked together at 6-6 but it was Roddick who struck first an was leading 5-4 with two serves to come.

But the former world number one was unable to convert his match point chance as Gulbis levelled before earning a set point of his own.

But the Latvian also couldn't convert that chance at they were still battling it out at 8-8. But Roddick dug in his heels and took the next two points to wrap up the match 6-3 7-6 (10-8)

The win for Roddick and a loss from Verdasco saw the American has cemented his place in the end of year tournament at the O2.

Roddick qualified for the tournament twelve months ago but had to pull out due to injury but will join Nadal, Federer, Djokovic, Murray, Soderling, Berdych and Ferrer

Speaking to the ATP after the match Roddick said: "Well, I think it's a goal at the beginning of every year. It's certainly an accomplishment every year.

"It's an honour to qualify once and each time you realize how tough it actually is. You can't just play well for one week. It's the culmination of doing it week after week on tour."

Roddick will now face Robin Soderling in the quarter finals as the Swede came through against Stanislas Wawrinka in straight sets.

Wawrinka forced a tie break in the opening set, which Soderling took in convincing fashion 7-3.  And Soderling capitalised on this momentum as he took the second set 6-3 to set up the clash with Roddick.

The pair are currently on court and Soderling leads a set and a break.

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw