Andy Roddick refused to be drawn into discussing an Australian Open final showdown with Roger Federer after he breezed into the fourth round with a 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 victory over France's Julien Benneteau yesterday.
Federer, the world No 1, has barely been troubled on his way through the tournament so
far and third seed Lleyton Hewitt said on Thursday that the title was as good as Federer's.
Hewitt was knocked out in the second round by Juan Ignacio Chela, opening up Federer's route to the final, where he has been drawn to meet Roddick should both men get there.
Roddick will meet Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis for a place in the quarter-finals.
"You know, I just think it's so senseless talking about Roger until I actually get there," Roddick said.
"That's your guys' job, to forecast and predict and all that stuff.
"I'm worried about Baghdatis right now, if I'm being honest with you.
"I don't really think I have the luxury of worrying about next week. I have to get there first.
"I go match by match. As boring as that is, it's kind of what I look at."
Roddick has himself already enjoyed comfortable victories over Michael Lammer and Wesley Moodie this week, and barely needed to kick into top gear against Benneteau yesterday, with their 159-place difference in the rankings painfully evident.
The 23-year-old American, who has won all three of his matches in straight sets and under two hours, also said he was only concerned with how well he was playing.
"That's not really what I'm worried about, especially on days like today where it is pretty hot; you just try to get through."
He also bristled at the suggestion that his opponents may have been below par. Lammer is ranked 220, Moodie is 60th, while Benneteau is 162nd.
"You know what, I don't really care how you guys take it. I'm not really concerned."
Argentine eighth seed Gaston Gaudio was the biggest casualty of the day, wilting in the heat in his 6-3, 6-2, 5-7, 1-6, 6-4 loss to Frenchman Fabrice Santoro.
He plays Spanish baseliner David Ferrer who posted a surprisingly easy 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 win over Heineken Open finalist Mario Ancic.
Top results
4-Maria Sharapova (Russia) bt Jelena Kostanic (Croatia) 6-0, 6-1
14-Svetlana Kuznetsova (Russia) bt Mara Santangelo (Italy) 6-3, 6-1
1-Lindsay Davenport (US) bt 25-Maria Kirilenko (Russia) 6-4 4-6 6-2
2-Andy Roddick (United States) bt Julien Benneteau (France) 6-1, 6-2, 6-2
- REUTERS
Tennis: Don't mention the F word (Federer, that is) to Roddick
Andy Roddick refused to be drawn into discussing an Australian Open final showdown with Roger Federer after he breezed into the fourth round with a 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 victory over France's Julien Benneteau yesterday.
Federer, the world No 1, has barely been troubled on his way through the tournament so
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