Bangkok Post: Roddick rolls Gonzalez to book first semi-final spot

The American who is also preparing for a Davis Cup final against Russia in Portland later this month, cemented his spot as he went past Chile’s Gonzalez in straight sets in just over an hour.

The result still leaves Gonzalez as well as Roger Federer chasing the other Red place in the Saturday final-four lineup at the Qi Zhong arena.

Under the complex calculation system, Federer’s safest path to the weekend is a win over Roddick when the pair meet in the final group showdown on Friday.

Statistically speaking, that is a safe bet, with the Swiss owning a 14-1 record over the American winning his only match in mid-2003.

“There’s no reason for me to be nervous,” Roddick said of his next challenge. “I can go out there and let it fly.

“The way I see it on Friday night, I can just go out there and play and go for my shots and play aggressive and try to knock him out.

“I’m sure I’ll have about seven other guys cheering for me to do that.”