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| Joachim Johansson (L) of Sweden is
congratulated by Andy Roddick of the United States after their
quarterfinal match at the 2004 U.S. Open in New York, September 9,
2004. (Reuters) |
Sweden's Joachim Johannson left Andy Roddick shellshocked after beating the defending
champion in five sets on Thursday to reach the US Open semi-finals.
After Andre Agassi's hopes were ended by Roger Federer earlier in the
day, Roddick was left to fly the American flag but he lost 6-4, 6-4, 3-6,
2-6, 6-4, in an explosive match featuring 64 aces.
It is the first time since 1986 that no American has reached the last
four of the men's event.
Second seed Roddick, who blazed through his four previous matches
without losing a set, fell two sets behind as the 6-foot-6 Johansson let
rip with lethal serves and forehands.
Roddick, who cracked 34 aces to Johansson's 30, hit back to win the
next two sets and with the fans going crazy he looked ready to
pull off a stunning rally.
But Johansson, 22, a former junior doubles partner of Roddick, showed
remarkable calm in the storm, staving off break points in the first game
and then at 4-4.
The Swede then went 40-0 up as Roddick served to stay in the
championships and held his nerve to clinch victory on his third match
point as the American hit a backhand long.
The 28th seed, who goes out with Lleyton Hewitt's sister Jaslyn, now
plays the Australian fourth seed for a place in the final after the 2001
champion thrashed Germany's Tommy Haas 6-2, 6-2, 6-2.
"You can't pick your brother but you can pick your boyfriend, so I hope
she'll be supporting me," Johansson told reporters following the first
five-setter of his career.
 Earlier, Agassi's dreams of a third US Open title were left in
tatters as Federer proved why
he is the world's best player. As Wednesday's rain was replaced by a
swirling breeze, top seed Federer returned to complete a 6-3, 2-6, 7-5,
3-6, 6-3, win and clinch a semi-final against Tim Henman.
With a vicious crosswind playing havoc, Australian Open and Wimbledon
champion Federer showed that behind the cool persona and flowing
groundstrokes is a core of steel.
The Swiss, bidding to become the first player since Swede Mats Wilander
in 1988 to win three grand slam titles in the same year, held a two sets
to one lead overnight. But Agassi, 34, launched a stirring fightback to
break Federer's serve in the eighth game of the fourth set and level the
match.
The fifth set became a war of attrition and it was Agassi, playing in his
12th quarter-final, who cracked first. He sent a forehand long in the
eighth game to hand Federer a break and the Swiss player served out for
the match.
"It was unbelievably windy," Federer said. "I had one game where I
served three or four double faults and completely lost my game.
Agassi, though, vowed to return. "Contrary to what it seems like you're
hearing, I (have) never had an intention not to play," he told reporters.
"My game plan is to play until I can't do it.
Henman shrugged off an early setback to reach the semi-finals for the
first time with a 6-1, 7-5, 5-7, 6-2, triumph over Slovak Dominik Hrbaty
after their match was also interrupted the previous night.
Hewitt maintained his flawless progress through the draw, making only
10 unforced errors against a demoralized Haas.
(Agencies) | 
Updated: 2004-09-09 15:19