Top seed Andy Roddick [ Images ] bludgeoned his way into another semi-final on Friday as his former housemate Nicolas Thomann looked forward to the biggest payday of his unheralded career.

Wimbledon [ Images ] semi-finalist Roddick surged past Belgian Xavier Malisse 6-4, 6-1 in their quarter-final at the RCA championships, while Frenchman Thomann earned his place in the last four with a 7-6, 7-5 victory over German Nicolas Kiefer [ Images ].

American Roddick, 20, faces Sjeng Schalken in his semi-final, with the prospect of Thomann awaiting him in Sunday's final if the 30-year-old can extend his remarkable run with success over Paradorn Srichaphan [ Images ].

The second-seeded Thai eased past unseeded Australian Scott Draper 6-4, 6-2 in the later quarter-final played at the Indianapolis tennis centre.

It ensured that the top three seeds had made the semi-finals here for the first time since 1992.

Roddick and Thomann met through coach Tarik Benahabiles, with Thomann staying at Roddick's Florida [ Images ] home when the pair used to train with Benahabiles in Bradenton.

Thomann, a professional for seven years, has collected just $32,768 on the Tour so far this season, but the world number 169 can look forward to banking at least $25,700 just for making Saturday's semi-finals.

"I have managed to make a living," he told reporters. "But I don't know why I am in this position all of a sudden -- it is beyond my expectations.

"It feels good... of course, it has been hard at times in the last few years.

"I had a wrist injury in 1998 which kept me out for a year, and I thought about giving up the game. But I love to play so I carried on.

"I was a late developer, so perhaps there is more to come from me. It would be just perfect if I could win one match and make the final ... and then I believe I can go on playing at this level for another three or four years."

WINNING MATCHES

His previous zenith as a player came in a victory over Andre Agassi [ Images ], but he said: "That was nice, but I lost the next match so really it means nothing.

"Winning matches and getting to a semi-final is much more important."

Semi-finals are becoming a habit for Roddick, the world number six who disposed of an in-form Malisse with frightening ease.

Twenty-eight clean winners had Malisse in a tailspin and not even a medical time-out at 4-1 down in the second set could steady him.

"Any time you reach the semis at your first event after switching surfaces, it's welcome," said Roddick, who will be a favourite for the U.S. Open title next month.

"But I'm focused on winning here.

"Because of the way I was serving in the first set, I felt okay, although in the last set and a half I really got some momentum going."

Dutch third seed Schalken, Roddick's opponent on Saturday, continued his progress with a 1-6 6-1 6-2 win over American Robby Ginepri, although Schalken needed eight match points to seal victory.

"He was hitting so well early on I couldn't even get my racket behind the ball," said Schalken, looking for his ninth Tour title in his ninth year as a professional.

"I did not know how to change things...fortunately I got my foot in the door and he couldn't maintain his level.

"It was a fast match, he hits the ball hard ... but with Roddick tomorrow I guess it can only get faster."