Andy Roddick Sets Up Monfils Clash

Andy Roddick was made to fight for his place in the quarter final in Tokyo, despite notching up a straight sets win over Frenchman Jeremy Chardy.

Roddick has seen himself slip down the rankings, the current world number 10, after disappointing early exits at both Wimbledon and US Open earlier this year.

And the first set was a tight affair and there was only one break point chance to take the set. And that break point fell to Roddick as he seized his opportunity to break and take the opening set 6-5.

The first set may have been close but the second set was closer as neither man could break through the other's defences. There were no breaks of serve in the second and a tie break was needed when they were still locked together at 6-6.

But Roddick, who put a good serving display of 81% of first serves in, dug deep in the tie break and secured a straight sets 6-4 7-6 (7-4) win.

Speaking to the ATP after the match Roddick said: "I was very happy with the way I played, I played very well on the big point.

"Today was pretty encouraging for me. He is always dangerous as he plays high-risk tennis and he served well today."

Roddick will now face Gael Monfils in the quarter finals as the Frenchman saw off Andreas Seppi of Italy 6-4, 6-4 in just 78 minutes.

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw