Istomin sends Roddick packing
02/18/2012 07:56:37 AM
Denis Istomin thrashed a frustrated Andy Roddick in the SAP Open quarter-finals on Friday, while Milos Raonic advanced to the last four.
Uzbek Istomin, the world number 61, brushed past second seed Roddick with a 6-2 6-4 win in one hour and 16 minutes at the ATP 250 event in San Jose.
Three-time winner Roddick, troubled by ankle and hamstring injuries, smashed a racquet and argued with the chair umpire during the loss.
Istomin capitalised, converting three of nine break point chances on the American's serve and running out a surprisingly comfortable winner.
He will meet Frenchman Julien Benneteau in the semi-finals after the fifth seed overcame a slow start to get past Belgian Steve Darcis 3-6 6-1 6-2.
Darcis made a bright start but only won a total of seven points on the Benneteau serve in the last two sets.
On the other side of the draw, big-serving Canadian Raonic battled past South African sixth seed Kevin Anderson 7-5 7-6 (7-3) in one hour and 42 minutes.
The third seed and defending champion served impressively, not giving Anderson a break point opportunity throughout the match.
Raonic will face American teenager Ryan Harrison in the last four after the world number 94 eased past Bulgarian qualifier Dimitar Kutrovsky 6-1 6-4.