Roddick outguns Ancic to reach semis
(Reuters)
Updated: 2005-10-29 09:31

Top seed Andy Roddick outgunned Croatian big server Mario Ancic to set up a semi-final against Frenchman Fabrice Santoro in the Lyon Grand Prix on Friday.

The American proved too strong and too consistent for seventh-seed Ancic who bowed out in straights sets 6-4 6-4.

The world number three will tackle evergreen Fabrice Santoro who tamed Vincent Spadea 6-2 6-2 to reach the last four of an ATP event for the first time since 2003.

"It's good to qualify for the semi-finals of a tournament. It proves that I still can play some good tennis," 32-year-old Santoro said. "I'm now looking forward to play against Andy. He is certainly one of the best servers out there.

"He still has to lose a serve here and the key to Saturday's match is going to be my serve," said the Frenchman, ranked 78th in the world.

It will be only the second match between the American and the French player.

"I remember that Roddick beat me in our first match. It was in Washington five years ago. He was just 150th in the ATP rankings then and I was his best performance," Santoro said.

In the first match of the day, French teenager Gael Monfils survived a poor start to tame compatriot Marc Gicquel 6-4 6-1.

The 19-year-old will face another compatriot, Sebastien Grosjean, who overcame a strong challenge from Belgium's Olivier Rochus to qualify 6-3 7-6.

Down 4-1 in the first set, Monfils, 36th in the ATP rankings, moved up a gear to snatch seven games in a row before wrapping up the second set.

"He (Gicquel) played really well in the first few games but I knew that he could not carry on at such a high level," Monfils said. "I didn't panic like I used to do in tough matches. It was a great test for me."

Qualifier Gicquel, 141st in the world, said: "I had a great start but I soon ran out of gas. Gael was really strong physically."

It is the third time this year Monfils has reached the last four in an ATP tournament.