• US Open, Day Seven

Djokovic: Roddick feud in the past

Andy Roddick staved off retirement with victory over Fabio Fognini © PA Photos

Enlarge

Related Links

• News: Djokovic cruises, Roddick lives to fight another day
  
• News: Robson's run ended by defending champion Stosur
  
• Features: Roddick gives flamboyant Fognini a run for his money
  

ESPN will be providing extensive coverage of the US Open, with live scores, commentary and analysis and you can follow it all with our live scorecentre

Defending champion Novak Djokovic insists there is no hostility between him and Andy Roddick after a spectacular fall-out at the 2008 US Open, when Djokovic took offence after the American accused him of "faking 16 injuries".

"We had that situation. We might have been through some misunderstandings and arguments. It was very emotional I think for both of us as it's very important tournament," he said.

"It happens, you know. You learn from those experiences. We have been in a very good relationship ever since and even before that. It's just that period, that situation. It happens. He was actually one of the few top players that was very nice to me when I started playing professionally. He has all my respect."

Andy Roddick is enjoying every minute of his swansong tournament after he lived to fight another day with victory over Fabio Fognini.

"These last couple days since I said what I was going to do it's been very humbling," Roddick said. "I really appreciate all this support. I really do. I was just trying to play point to point and keep my emotions together,. All the while I'm trying to appreciate this tournament. [The crowd] have just made it so special."

Lleyton Hewitt rued a series of squandered opportunities in the first set tiebreak as he bowed out with a 7-6(9) 4-6 6-3 6-0 defeat to David Ferrer.

"I was fighting hard to sort of just stay in touch in the first set and then I started putting a bit more pressure on him," he said. "Got back on level terms and then for most of the tiebreak I was on top obviously. It could have gone either way. I'm not saying I was going to win, but if I'd won the first set would have made life a bit easier."

Juan Martin Del Potro was delighted to navigate his way past fellow Argentine Leonardo Mayer.

"It's not easy when you are playing another Argentinian and a guy who is a friend," Del Potro said. He makes a lot of first serves and plays serve-and-volley," said Del Potro. "This is my best tournament. All of my biggest memories are here."

Victoria Azarenka justified her billing as world No. 1 as she waltzed into the quarter-finals. She said: "There were a few things I felt like I could have done better. Could have been more aggressive and step up a little bit more when I had the chance. But in the end I found that rhythm that I was looking for, and that's important.

"I let my racket talk, not really me talking. I think that's important. You really show when you're on the court are you a favorite? Are you not a favorite? Are you playing well? Are you not playing well? In the end of the day, your game is what shows, you know, who you are in the tennis world."

Sam Stosur will now face Azarenka in an attempt to defend her title. The Australian is aware she will need to overturn a poor record against the top seed to do so, saying: "I have not done well against her in the past. There's a few things I've learnt over those last few matches. Hopefully I can put all those into play and have a better match - and hopefully a very good one.

"I'll look forward to that opportunity again. Quarter-finals of another slam, you've got to give it everything you've got."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.