• US Open, Day Seven

Roddick gives flamboyant Fognini a run for his money

David Ferrer is mobbed by fans © PA Photos

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• News: Djokovic cruises, Roddick lives to fight another day
  
• News: Djokovic: Roddick feud in the past
  
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Anything you can do
Andy Roddick lived to fight another day as he staved off retirement with victory over Fabio Fognini, in front of a buzzing Arthur Ashe Stadium. Against the flamboyant Italian, Roddick played his part in thrilling the crowd, winning what must be the point of the day late to whip the patriotic home crowd into a frenzy. At full stretch low to his right, Roddick angled his racket to send a tasty lob over Fognini, who pulled played the shot backwards between his legs in a hotdog Roger Federer would have been proud of. It was worthy of a winner, but Roddick dived to reach a volley at full stretch before celebrating like a footballer celebrating a goal.

An unwelcome milestone
Andy Murray may desperate to end his wait for a grand slam title, but spare a thought for Julien Benneteau. After 12 years as a professional, the 30-year-old has never won a single title on the ATP Tour. Ranked at No. 35 in the world, although he has reached as high as No. 26, Benneteau has fallen in six finals in his career.

Novak Djokovic would be forgiven for taking a cautious approach to his third round match, having seen the Frenchman give Roger Federer a real scare at Wimbledon earlier this year, but Benneteau was helpless to stop a dominant Djokovic as he suffered the 200th defeat of his career.

Ferret Ferrer defies physics
In a pulsating first set tiebreak between the two bantamweights David Ferrer and Lleyton Hewitt, the former US Open champion thought he had done enough as he sent the Spaniard scurrying around the court, one way then another before a deft drop shot winner. Only it wasn't - Ferrer living up to his reputation as the 'Everywhere Man' as he raced across the court to reach the ball and send a winner past Hewitt, who could only look on in astonishment.

Djok in a hurry
For a player who participated in the longest grand slam final in history earlier this year, could be on track to defend his US Open title in record time as he raced into the fourth round. Taking on Julien Benneteau in his third round clash, Djokovic was in no mood to hang around as he dispatched the Frenchman in an hour and 37 minutes - meaning he has spent less than four-and-a-half hours on court in total - some way off the five hours and 53 minutes he needed to beat Rafael Nadal at the Australian Open.

From Russia without love
It is no secret in WTA circles that compatriots Maria Sharapova and Nadia Petrova do not get along. Their relationship has caused an icy atmosphere in many a dressing room around the world, and that was evident on court at the US Open on Sunday. The pair exchanged numerous cold glances and Sharapova arguably let the issue disrupt her momentum to allow Petrova back in the match. The third seed recovered to win the match and immediately turned to Petrova's camp to celebrate in front of them.

Singing in the rain
Maria Sharapova really needed a rain delay in the third set; and she got one. Down 2-0 in the deciding set, Sharapova had let the match slip from her grasp before the New York heavens opened. The former US Open winner regrouped after the stoppage to seize control from the back of the court and progress to the quarter-finals.

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