Relentless Roddick rockets on in style

Andy Roddick survived a third-round clash with Austria’s Jurgen Melzer, and also a grilling from Jim Courier, in the Australian Open today.

Roddick, facing his third left-hander in a row after victories over Irakli Labadze and Britain’s Greg Rusedski, raced to a 6-2 6-2 7-5 win, the highlight of which was a forehand winner played between his legs as he chased down a lob.

But the second seed had a harder time fending off the off-beat questions from Courier afterwards in the former world number one’s new role as a television commentator.

“Man, Jimmy’s making me grind in those post-match interviews,” joked Roddick, who was grilled on his love life by Courier in a court-side interview.

“But in all fairness, I think he’s bringing out a lighter side of the players. As uncomfortable as it may be at times, I think he’s doing a pretty good job.

“I think it’s great for this setting but more stuff like that could be incorporated everywhere. People hear about forehands and backhands pretty much every day. He’s getting under our skin a little bit. But I’m sure it’s good for the fans.”

Roddick will play surprise package Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany in the fourth round, the world number 102 beating French qualifier Jean-Rene Lisnard 7-5 6-3 6-2.

Argentinian duo Guillermo Coria and Guillermo Canas had earlier advanced to the fourth round in convincing style.

Sixth seed Coria defeated former French Open champion Juan Carlos Ferrero 6-3 6-2 6-1, recovering from 3-2 down in the opening set to reel off 16 of the next 19 games.

And Canas was equally impressive in beating Radek Stepanek 6-1 6-2 6-2 to set up a last 16 clash with Russian Nikolay Davydenko, another straight-sets winner over Britain’s seventh seed Tim Henman.

Coria will play David Nalbandian in the next round after the former Wimbledon finalist made it three Argentinians into the last 16 with victory over Chile’s Fernando Gonzalez.

Nalbandian, the ninth seed, recovered from losing the first set to win 6-7 7-5 6-2 6-3.