Roddick cruises into fourth round

Sixth seed Andy Roddick broke new ground at the French Open with his comfortable third-round win over Frenchman Marc Gicquel today.

The American posted a 6-1 6-4 6-4 victory on Suzanne Lenglen Court to clinch a spot in the last 16 at Roland Garros for the first time in his career.

Roddick has gone out in the first round in his last two appearances in Paris, in 2006 and 2007, but this year he is disproving the theory he cannot play on clay – he has not dropped a set this week.

He will play either Gael Monfils or Jurgen Melzer next.

Elsewhere, Germany’s Tommy Haas set up a potential fourth-round date with second seed Roger Federer with a 7-5 6-3 4-6 6-4 victory over Frenchman Jeremy Chardy on Court One.

Federer plays Paul-Henri Mathieu later today on Philippe Chatrier court.

With Gicquel and Chardy out, France’s representation in the men’s draw has been whittled down to three – Mathieu, Monfils and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.