Roddick and Venus keep US flag flying

ANDY RODDICK and Venus Williams had the Stars and Stripes flying proudly over centre court as the two Americans powered into the fourth round at Wimbledon yesterday.

Barely an hour after Roddick had qualified for the last 16 of the men's singles for the first time, Venus had joined him at the same stage of the women's with a 6-1, 6-2 win over Russia's Nadia Petrova.

The fourth seed, champion here in 2000 and 2001 before being dethroned last year by sister Serena, will now get her chance to avenge her fourth round defeat at the French Open by Petrova's compatriot, Vera Zvonareva.

That loss, and her recent eclipse by younger sister Serena, had led some to question whether Venus's appetite for tennis was on the wane a suggestion she dismissed both on the court and in the interview room.

"I work a lot harder when I haven't had the results," she said.

Roddick meanwhile was in bullish mood after his third straight sets victory of the tournament, a 7-6 (7/5), 6-4, 6-3 dismissal of Spanish claycourter Tommy Robredo.

"I'm starting to believe myself and I'm definitely here to win this tournament," the 20-year-old Nebraskan declared.

Despite his current form and the fact that he had never lost to Robredo in four meetings, Roddick started the match tentatively.

But after shading the first set tiebreak 7/5, there was only ever going to be one winner and proceedings were brought to a halt after one hour and 54 minutes.

The win sets up an exciting fourth round clash between Roddick and Thailand's Paradorn Srichaphan, who reached the last 16 of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time in his career.

Paradorn advanced by ending the hopes of Spain's Rafael Nadal, the 17-year-old who had been bidding to become the youngest player since Bjorn Borg in 1973 to make the last 16 at Wimbledon.

After having to battle through five sets in his first two matches, Asia's top male player hit the ground running against the Spanish left-hander, securing a break in the first game of the match.

He then went on to complete a 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 win to the delight of the numerous Thai fans who had managed to get hold of tickets for the number one showcourt.

Srichapan, who beat Andre Agassi here last year, said Roddick was in intimidating form. "His game is suited to grass so it will be a tough one," he said.

Croatian giant-killer Ivo Karlovic, who spectacularly defeated top seed Lleyton Hewitt in the first round, lost his battle of the giants with Max Mirnyi.

In probably the tallest ever match at the championships, 1m96 (6'5") Belarus doubles master Mirnyi defeated the 6'10" Croat 7-6 (7/5), 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) to set up a fourth round tie with Jonas Bjorkman.

Despite the defeat, Karlovic is walking tall. "It's been an unbelievable experience for me to play on Centre Court against Lleyton Hewitt, and to win. I beat the number one, so I'm happy," he said.

Sjeng Schalken proved there is still life in Dutch tennis after the withdrawal of Richard Krajicek when he became the first man into the last 16 of the men's singles.

The Dutch eighth seed, a quarter-finalist here last year, cruised to a 6-2, 6-4, 7-6 (7/3) win over Romanian Victor Hanescu, who was a lucky loser from the qualifying tournament.

Schalken now plays ninth seed Rainer Schuettler, who finally killed off the dogged resistance of American Todd Martin 4-6, 7-5, 6-7 (1/7), 6-1, 7-5.

In the women's singles, Venus Williams was joined in the last 16 by Kim Clijsters and Lindsay Davenport, both of whom face Japanese opponents in the next round.

Clijsters will take on Japanese number one Ai Sugiyama, who equalled her best performance at Wimbledon by advancing to the fourth round with a straight sets victory over Nathalie Dechy of France.

Shinobu Asagoe had never been beyond the second round of any Grand Slam before but, after eliminating ninth seed Daniela Hantuchova in the last round, she continued her progress here with a 7-5, 6-2 win over Francesca Schiavone of Italy.