"Lights out!"

Monfils ousts Roddick in fading light

Local hero Gael Monfils whipped the Parisian crowd up into a frenzy as the night drew in, defeating No6 seed Andy Roddick in straight sets 6-4 6-2 6-3 to earn a Roland Garros rematch with Roger Federer. The American was furious that the game was not suspended as the light faded, but in truth he was second best throughout the contest. In a high-flying, spectacular performance from the Frenchman, Monfils served huge, passed beautifully and controlled much of the play from inside the baseline. Playing in the fourth round of the tournament for the first time, Roddick rarely showed the stellar form that had easily won him his first three matches. A 2008 semi-finalist, Monfils cracked 45 winners (including 17 aces) and committed only 23 unforced errors, while the powerful Roddick was only able to total 18 winners (including just four aces) and committed 28 unforced errors. The American has been working diligently on his net game, but could only convert 12 out of 30 approaches. The game did not get under way until 7.45 in the evening due to Sorana Cirstea and Jelena Jankovic going to 9-7 in an epic third set, and as expected between two of the biggest hitters on the circuit, service dominated at the outset. Roddick held to love and 15, but Monfils drew first blood after that, breaking to lead 3-2. Roddick upped his game but Monfils held and served out to take the opener 6-4. Clearly irritated that he could not impose himself, Roddick began to complain to the chair umpire late in the second set that he could not see the ball properly and subsequently lost his cool. He had numerous chances to break Monfils serve, but could convert only 1 of 10 break points, while the Frenchman broke him six times. Roddick hoped to push the match until Tuesday, but holding two break points down 4-3 in the final set, he pushed an easy backhand down the line wide and then missed a backhand return. A charged-up Monfils then held to 5-3 and won then match by pasting an inside-out forehand winner and watching Roddick dump a forehand volley into the net. The Frenchman celebrated wildly, while Roddick quickly hurried off the court. The American was phlegmatic after the match, saying that the conditions were the same for both players and that he merely failed to execute his game plan. "He served really big at the right times," said Roddick of Monfils. "His timing on the serves - in streaks, two or three in a row - was bad for me and great for him."

Andy Roddick

Roddick cruises into fourth, then keeps it humble

American Andy Roddick may not win his first Roland Garros title, but he accomplished a huge goal on Saturday by reaching the fourth round for the first time with an impressive 6-1, 6-1, 6-4 victory over France’s Mark Gicquel. Serving smart, volleying like a demon and playing consistent from the backcourt, Roddick was never threatened in the match. The American finished the contest with 27 winners and only 11 unforced errors, while winning 17 of his 24 net approaches. Under his new coach, Larry Stefanki, Roddick has gotten himself in better shape, is quicker and has developed a more powerful backhand and dependable net game. Low profile While the 26-year-old won’t put himself in the list of top favorites, he’s knows he’s better than his previous results. He’ll face the winner of the match between Gael Monfils and Juergen Melzer. “I think I have improved physically from the past times I've been here, and I think that lends itself to having some more options out there,” he said. If you're asking me if I've come here thinking I can win this tournament, the honest answer would be no. Do I feel like I can make a run and then see where that takes me? Yes. I think it would be extremely presumptuous of me with my record here to come in and say I think I'm going to win this tournament. Right now I'm going to go match by match, and I think I have a shot to win my next match. We'll go from there. But the reason that Roger and Rafa have been talked about as the favorites is because they've proven themselves time after time. Not only at this event, but at other ones. So I'm going to have to earn it."

Roddick finding his feet

Andy Roddick put his Roland Garros demons behind him to finally reach the fourth round of a French Open.

The sixth seed posted a 6-1 6-4 6-4 victory over Frenchman Marc Gicquel on Suzanne Lenglen court to continue his terrific streak this week.

The American had gone out in the first round in his last two appearances here, in 2006 and 2007, but this week he is disproving the theory he is not a clay-court performer, and he has yet to drop a set in three matches.

"I felt like it was the same press conference for about four or five years in a row here," said Roddick, whose best previous performance at Roland Garros came in his opening visit, in 2001, when he made the third round.

"But if you take away this tournament, I have a pretty good clay-court CV.

"It's obviously not what my career is on other surfaces, but if you can compare it to guys who play well on this stuff or are a specialist, it matches up favourably.

"I certainly felt capable of making the second week of this event."

Roddick, the 2003 US Open champion and a three-time grand-slam runner-up, believes he has found a "comfort level" on clay.

"I feel like I'm moving a little bit better on this stuff," said the 26-year-old, who married model Brooklyn Decker last month.

"I feel like I can do that when I get matches under my belt on clay. When I come out and haven't played a lot of matches, everything feels a little bit awkward.

"When I'm playing well, I can play well on clay. I feel like the things I've been doing this week are the things that lead to success on hard courts as well - I'm taking care of my serves, putting returns in play and my unforced errors have been low."

Gael Monfils, the 11th seed and a semi-finalist here last year, will be Roddick's next opponent after the Frenchman beat Jurgen Melzer 6-2 4-6 6-3 6-1.

Juan Martin del Potro advanced into the last 16 with an impressive straight-sets victory over Igor Andreev.

Despite being the fifth seed, the Argentinian has not been attracting the headlines this tournament but his progress has been smooth, and like Roddick he has yet to lose a set.

Away from the show courts again today, Del Potro secured a 6-4 7-5 6-4 win on Court Two and will play Jo-Wilfried Tsonga or Christophe Rochus next.

Germany's Tommy Haas set up a potential fourth-round date with second seed Roger Federer after a 7-5 6-3 4-6 6-4 victory over Frenchman Jeremy Chardy.

Federer plays Paul-Henri Mathieu later today on Philippe Chatrier court.

With Gicquel and Chardy out, France's representation in the men's draw has been whittled down to three - Mathieu, Monfils and Tsonga.

Next Photo Andy Roddick pounded his way into the last 16, beating Marc Gicquel 6-1 6-4 6-4.

Next Photo Andy Roddick takes a quick nap in his one-sided match against unseeded Gicquel.

Andy Roddick blasts his way into the last 16.