Benneteau knocks Roddick out

Memphis (US): French qualifier Julien Benneteau upset top-seeded Andy Roddick 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 in the quarterfinals of the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships on Friday.

Benneteau, ranked 122nd in the world, had lost twice previously to Roddick, including in the Australian Open last month in straight sets.

But he kept the world's No 3-ranked player from reaching the semi-finals for a second consecutive week by serving more effectively on Friday.

Benneteau will play sixth-seeded Tommy Haas, a 6-7, 6-4, 6-4 winner over Dmitry Tursunov of Russia, on Saturday.

Britain's Andy Murray, who won his first ATP title last week at San Jose, fought off seven match points before losing 6-1, 6-4 to Robin Soderling of Sweden.

Soderling will play Kristof Vliegen of Belgium, a 3-6, 7-6, 6-4 winner over qualifier Paul Capdeville of Chile.

In women's play, Sofia Arvidsson of Sweden swept past Amy Frazier of the United States 6-2, 6-2, and will play Marta Domachowska of Poland, a 6-1, 6-0 winner over Jill Craybas of the United States, for the Cellular South Cup.

Either player will win their first WTA Tour title.

Roddick thought he played well against Benneteau.

"It's just a little frustrating right now. I felt like tonight I actually hit the ball better than I have over the last two weeks," Roddick said. "I came off the court not really thinking I did a whole lot wrong. The guy was pretty much ripping winners from all angles."

Benneteau, who turned pro in 2000, got the biggest victory of his career.

"It's a lot of joy. I'm very happy for sure," he said.

"I'm very proud of me. I'm very happy for my coach, for all the effort we make together to try to be the best."

Benneteau showed early that he might be ready to beat Roddick for the first time when he took a 3-1 lead in the first set. But Roddick broke Benneteau twice and won the last five games of the set.

Benneteau broke Roddick to take the second set, and in the final set the American wasn't happy with several line calls, including one which prompted him to say, "Everyone but the person who's paid to do it" after pointing out two perceived misses."

Benneteau dominated the tiebreaker as Roddick double-faulted and hit several shots long.

Benneteau had one of his 18 aces to go up 6-3. Roddick hit a forehand winner, then watched the Frenchman hit a backhand down the line for the win.

Benneteau converted 78 per cent of his first serves.

"Apparently I served 71 per cent, and I'm a chump," said Roddick, who won the Memphis tournament in 2002.

Roddick's loss easily overshadowed Haas' victory, which left the German as the only seeded player left.

Haas, who won the first of eight career titles here in 1999, broke Tursunov once in the second set and twice in the third to win.