Andy Roddick underlined his US Open title claims with a superb 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 demolition of Belgian Xavier Malisse in their rain-hit fourth-round match last night.
The American fourth seed dealt with delays and interruptions as he eased into the quarter-finals with his 16th successive win - the longest unbeaten streak on the men's tour this year.
Roddick lost just three points on his service in the first two sets, showing why many predict he will be crowned the new men's champion at Flushing Meadows.
Although Malisse finally found his touch in the third set, even holding two set points at 5-4, Roddick regained his concentration to book a quarter-final meeting with either Dutchman Sjeng Schalken or Germany's Rainer Schuettler.
It is the third successive year Roddick has reached the last eight.
Roddick was the only player to register a result yesterday, while Schalken versus Schuettler is one of six men's fourth-round matches still to be completed after rain ruined the schedules for the third day running.
Only Andre Agassi and Roddick have been able to progress into the last eight and, as rain hindered the tournament.
