Former champion Andy Roddick, playing with renewed confidence since being coached by Jimmy Connors, ended the run of German qualifier Benjamin Becker at the U.S. Open on Monday to reach the quarter-finals.
Ninth-seeded Roddick, the 2003 Open winner, broke Becker's last two service games to clinch a 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 victory over the 25-year-old who had sent Andre Agassi into retirement in the third round.
Roddick said on Sunday that he would have faced a dilemma going up against Agassi in the fourth round.
"Obviously, you want to play against your idols but then again you don't want to be the guy who shot Bambi," he joked.
Becker's win over Agassi removed that conflict.
"Shooting the guy who shot Bambi? I guess it feels better than shooting Bambi."
What pleased Roddick most was the way he finished off his opponent.
"I'm glad that I closed it strongly because this year sometimes I've been getting up and I haven't really put my foot on the accelerator."
The 24-year-old American has played like a new man, since hooking up with Jimmy Connors earlier this season, showing more spirit and focus.
REINVIGORATED RODDICK
Roddick, who rocketed down 19 aces against Becker, said working with Connors had reinvigorated his game, though he was not sure their collaboration would last when he first visited the five-times Open champion for some feedback.
"To be honest, when I went to California for those four days, I think it was just before Indianapolis (in July), I was scared because I didn't know what to expect.
"I think we were both taking a leap of faith, just hoping that something would click."
That first meeting led to Connors travelling to Roddick's home in Austin, Texas, to continue the working relationship.
"He came to Austin and stayed in one of the upstairs bedrooms and I just feel like maybe it's been a while since he's just been one of the boys, you know, playing pool and poker and hanging out.
"We'd practice, he'd come home, kick his feet up on my couch, have a beer. It was pretty surreal."
Roddick said Connors, whose mother and grandmother coached tennis, knows a lot about technique besides the obvious fighting spirit long associated with the former champion.
"The passion he brings to the court is huge. It's contagious," said the 24-year-old.
"But I think, first and foremost, I get the opportunity on a daily basis to have information from one of the greatest players that ever played. You can't really say that too often.
"So there's a lot he's bringing to the table."
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