Online Tennis Players Wallpapers - 2011 AUSTRALIAN OPEN UPDATES,PICS,NEWS,RESULTS: Andy Roddick videos

Seventh seed Andy Roddick has outlasted a strong challenge from Fernando Gonzalez to book a quarter-final clash with Croatia’s Marin Cilic.

The American came from two sets to one down to win the fourth-round match 6-3 3-6 4-6 7-5 6-2 in three hours and 25 minutes at Rod Laver Arena on Sunday night.

Gonzalez looked to be in control of the match early in the fourth set, and created a break point chance in the third game. However, Roddick managed to hold the service game, and as the set continued the Chilean tired significantly, and the American never looked back.

Roddick’s service game was incredibly consistent throughout the match, as he delivered a remarkable 32 aces and no double faults. Gonzalez on the other hand hit 83 winners, but produced 49 unforced errors to Roddick’s 17.

Early aces from the world No. 7 saw him looking the stronger player in the first set, and though Gonzalez hit some superb winners, a costly double fault in the sixth game helped the American break serve to 4-2 – a lead which he consolidated to take the set 6-3.

Gonzalez struck back hard in the second set as he made 17 winners to Roddick’s 10. He eventually broke the American’s serve in an epic 30-shot rally at the end of the sixth game to take a 4-2 lead. Assisted by vocal support from a large Chilean contingent at the Rod Laver Arena, he took the set 6-3.

In the third set, 11th-seeded Gonzalez only improved as Roddick’s frustration grew. The Chilean looked to have an edge over the American, and took the set 6-4, blasting an impressive 23 winners, many of which came from his preferred forehand.

Roddick’s crucial hold early in the fourth set would be the turning point in the match. Having saved the break points in that game, he challenged Gonzalez’s serve at 5-4, but the Chilean managed to save four set points.

Two games later, it was a different story, as Roddick came from 0-40 down to take the game and the set. The set point came in dramatic circumstances as Roddick challenged a line judge that had called a forehand winner out. The challenge showed the ball was in, and Roddick took the set and plenty of momentum into the decider.

Roddick broke early in the fifth, and as the Chilean’s fatigue continued to affect his game, the American controlled the set and claimed it 6-2.

The victory was Roddick’s ninth in 12 meetings with Gonzalez, though it marked the first time the pair had reached five sets.

After the match, Roddick admitted he was fortunate to go through.

“I was lucky to get out of that. Sometimes if you fight and stick around you give yourself a shot – and that’s what happened,” he said.

Fast facts

- Roddick served 32 aces, while Gonzalez had 17.

- Gonzalez had nine double faults, while Roddick had none.

- Roddick was 4-for-18 on break point conversion chances, while Gonzalez went 2-for-4.

- Gonzalez had 83 winners to the American’s 68.

Current Match on Rod Laver Arena

Rod Laver Arena - Men's Singles - 4th Round

Andy Roddick USA (7)