Kuznetsova, Roddick march into last eight

NEW YORK, Sept 3 (Reuters) Former champions Andy Roddick and Svetlana Kuznetsova moved safely into the quarter-finals of the US Open today.

Roddick, the 2003 champion, was leading 7-6 2-0 when ninth-seeded Czech Tomas Berdych retired with breathing problems while The American said he felt sorry for Berdych but with a possible quarter-final match-up with defending champion Roger Federer looming, he added: ''This is a lot better than being dead tired.'' Fourth seeded Kuznetsova needed only 74 minutes to dispose of an awe-struck Victoria Azarenka of Belarus 6-2 6-3 to reach the Open's last eight for the first time since winning the grand slam in 2004.

''I feel like I'm getting better every match,'' said Kuznetsova, the highest remaining seed in the bottom half of the draw. ''I'm very confident about my game.'' The Russian took the first five games in breezy conditions in the Arthur Ashe Stadium against Azarenka, who made 16 unforced errors in the opening set.

''It was such a big court and playing against Svetlana, I was a little nervous at the beginning,'' said Azarenka, 18, who put out former winner Martina Hingis in the third round.

Kuznetsova next plays 18-year-old Agnes Szavay of Hungary, who defeated Ukrainian Julia Vakulenko 6-4 7-6.

One match after knocking out last year's champion Maria Sharapova, 18-year-old Pole Agnieszka Radwanska suffered a 6-4 6-1 fourth-round setback to Israeli Shahar Peer.

''Sometimes I have to lose,'' said Radwanska. ''Anyway, fourth round is good for me.'' Triple champion Federer was set to play Spain's Feliciano Lopez later on Monday with the winner facing Roddick in the last eight.

''No offence to Lopez, but I'm kind of already preparing for Roger,'' said Roddick, who has lost 13 of 14 matches against the Swiss world number one. ''I'm excited.

''I expect a lot of myself. I don't think anybody else really expects much from me,'' he said with a laugh.

REUTERS BJR KN0236