Roddick reaches quarter-finals

Last year's junior champion, Andy Roddick, is in the quarter-finals of the U.S. Open with the grown-ups.

"You know, I don't believe it," Roddick said Tuesday night after a 6-2 6-2 6-4 victory over Spaniard Tommy Robredo.

On the other hand, the 18th-seeded, 19-year-old American has been chafing to be here in just this position.

"It kills me when I'm at home the second week of a Slam and you're watching guys win and stuff. It's good to be a part of it for the first time," he said.

Roddick, who is being touted as the future of American men's tennis, said he would watch Wednesday night's quarter-final showdown between former world number one Pete Sampras, the 10th seed, and Andre Agassi, the second seed.

"For sure I'm going to watch it," he said, although he did not think he would watch it in person at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

"I'll doubt I'll hang out here. That's pretty draining. But I'll definitely watch it. I'm still a huge fan -- my two biggest influences. I'm as excited as everybody else about that match."

Roddick hit one serve that was clocked at 141 miles per hour. Did he peek at the speed clock?

"I peeked," he said, smiling. "I snuck a look in. I knew I cracked it pretty good.

"You know, that's just one serve. I'm prouder about the fact that I didn't get broken tonight. That means more to me than speed guns."

He next faces the winner of a rain-suspended match between fourth-seeded Australian Lleyton Hewitt and German 16th seed Tommy Haas. Roddick noted he has lost to both.

"They're both playing good tennis," Roddick said. "Tommy is playing some ball. He's been playing well all summer. Lleyton is always a fiery competitor. You're going to have to play great tennis to beat him.

"Either way it's going to be a really tough match."