HOUSTON, April 23 (UPI) -- Andy Roddick battled through a pair of tough sets against qualifier Paul Goldstein to reach the quarterfinals Wednesday at the U.S. Men's Clay Court Championships.
The second-seeded Roddick was down a service break in both sets before overcoming Goldstein, 7-5, 6-4, in a second-round match at the Westside Tennis Club.
A two-time champion, Roddick will play Fernando Meligeni in the quarterfinals on Friday. The Brazilian claycourt specialist knocked off No. 5 Vincent Spadea of the United States, 4-6, 7-6 (8-6), 6-3.
Playing just his third main draw match of the year, Goldstein gave the world's sixth-ranked player a run for his money. Ranked 193rd in the world, Goldstein was leading 4-1 in the first set when Roddick rebounded with a service break in the seventh game and knotted the contest, 4-4. The Florida resident broke again in the 11th game, held serve and secured the set.
"I rely a lot on my serve," Roddick said. "It was tough today with the wind. On one side of the court, I was able to use spin and, on the other side, it just sat up. The wind does not help my game."
In the second set, Goldstein was serving at 4-2 and 40-30 when he missed an open court volley, allowing Roddick back into the game. Roddick reeled off the final four games to seal the win.
"I gave myself a lot of opportunities," Goldstein said. "I'm disappointed that I didn't take advantage of those opportunities."
