Big-hitting Roddick sinks Saffin to set up tussle with Ancic

ANDY RODDICK won the battle of the big-hitting former grand slam champions in four sets to bring an early end to Marat Safin’s Australian Open campaign.

The sixth seed triumphed 7-6 (7/2) 2-6 6-4 7-6 (7/2) over the 26th seed to secure a last-16 encounter against Croatia’s Mario Ancic.

Roddick won his lone major at the 2003 US Open but has been playing well for the past six months since convincing Jimmy Connors to be his coach. Connors just joined Roddick Down Under after the death of his mother, Gloria.

Safin won the US Open in 2000 and the Australian Open two years ago, but more recently has been plagued by injuries.

Prior to this Melbourne meeting, the Russian had won the last match between the two — a straight-sets victory on clay in last year’s Davis Cup semi-finals.

Roddick now holds a 4-3 head-to-head record over Safin, and will next face ninth seed Ancic, who crushed 22nd-seeded Slovakian Dominik Hrbaty 6-3 6-2 6-1.

Elsewhere, defending champion Roger Federer admits his last-16 meeting with rising star Novak Djokovic is a tricky assignment after both enjoyed third-round wins.

Federer beat Mikhail Youzhny 6-3 6-3 7-6 (7/5) to extend his winning streak to 32 matches and next faces 14th-seeded Serbian Djokovic, who downed Thailand’s Danai Udomchoke 6-3 6-4 5-7 6-1 in the first completed men’s match of the rainy day.

“It’s a dangerous match for me, that’s for sure,” said Federer. “Of course, you know, I’m the big favourite. This is maybe his big moment where he can maybe make a name for himself, no doubt.

“But he already missed that opportunity twice. Usually when I beat a guy twice, I know how to play him. I hope I can take advantage of that.”

Djokovic was convinced he would face Federer in the next round.

“I’m going to be motivated, that’s for sure,” Djokovic said. “I don’t have anything to lose.

“He’s the best player in the world. He’s defending champion here. You know, I’ll give my best, that’s for sure. I’m going to try to win.”

Eighteenth seed Richard Gasquet defeated fellow young Frenchman Gael Monfils 6-0 4-6 7-5 6-3 in another third-round match.

Gasquet will next meet Tommy Robredo of Spain after the number seven seed saw off American Sam Querrey 6-4 6-7 (5/7) 6-2 6-1.

American Mardy Fish held a 3-0 lead over Wayne Arthurs when the Australian veteran retired with a hip injury. It was the final match at his home Slam for the 35-year-old Arthurs.

Fish awaits 16th seed David Ferrer of Spain, who overcame a two-set deficit to beat 20th-seeded Czech Radek Stepanek 6-7 (5/7) 4-6 6-0 6-4 6-3.