Soderling beats Roddick at Lyon tennis

LYON, France, Oct. 24 (UPI) -- No. 7 seed Robin Soderling beat top-seeded Andy Roddick in straight sets during Friday quarterfinals at the Lyon Tennis Grand Prix in Lyon, France.

The scores, 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (7-5), continued the American's slide away from the world's top men's tennis players.

Soderling, a native of Tibro, Sweden, had reached the final at the Stockholm Open two weeks ago, and beat Roddick for the second time this season.

"I love it here and I feel capable of winning it again because I'm playing really well at the moment," Soderling told reporters.

He joined fourth-seeded Gilles Simon of France, a 6-3, 7-5 winner against compatriot Josselin Ouanna.

In Friday's other quarters, third-seeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France topped Spain's Juan Carlos Ferrero 7-6 (7-5), 6-1 and Frenchman Julien Benneteau beat Belgian Steve Darcis 6-3, 6-2.

Saturday, Tsonga plays Benneteau while Soderling faces Simon.

Sunday's champion pockets a $148,000 winner's check.