Wawrinka rams Roddick to set up Swiss derby

Andy Roddick has enough trouble dealing with Roger Federer but on Sunday even Switzerland’s second best tennis player proved beyond him as Stanislas Wawrinka humbled the American 6-3 6-4 6-4.

Wawrinka, the 19th seed, produced a stunning performance that 16-times grand slam champion Federer will be wary of when he meets his friend and Olympic doubles gold medal partner he refers to as “Stan” in the quarter-finals.

Roddick could make no impression and was out-aced 24-9 as Wawrinka ensured the a first grand slam quarter-final between two Swiss men since the sport turned professional.

“I’m playing my best tennis ever,” Wawrinka told reporters after extending his winning streak to eight matches to match his quarter-final run at last year’s US Open.

“Everything is right with my game.”

Wawrinka, who won in Chennai in the build-up to the year’ first grand slam, added: “For sure, it’s going to be different with Roger. Everybody knows that Roger is the best player ever.

“We know when he’s playing his best tennis it’s always tough to beat him. I will try to be focussed on what I want to do.”

Wawrinka caught Roddick cold under the Melbourne floodlights to leave the United States with no singles representatives heading into the second week.

“You already have your story written, so it doesn’t matter what I say,” Roddick told reporters when quizzed on his country’s poor performance here. “It obviously wasn’t the showing that we wanted, you know, but I’m doing what I can.”

The 25-year-old Wawrinka broke for 5-3 in the first set with a drilled pass down the line from one of the best single-handed backhands in tennis and he never took a backward step.

WEARY BACKHAND

Roddick was a fraction slower than his unshaven opponent, who had too many ideas and executed his shots superbly.

The contest ended after two hours and 22 minutes when Roddick sliced a weary backhand into the net before gathering his kit and heading off to book a flight home.

“I’m glad I finished healthy,” Roddick, who spent much of last year battling injury and illness, said. “First tournament I’ve done that for a long time.

“But, you know, there’s certainly some work to be done. I’ve got to figure out in kind of slower conditions how I can impose myself on some of those guys.”