Roddick into quarter-finals after Berdych pulls out

NEW YORK, Sep 3 (Reuters) Former champion Andy Roddick was awarded a place in the quarter-finals of the US Open today when his opponent, Tomas Berdych, retired with breathing problems.

The American fifth seed was leading 7-6 2-0 when Czech Berdych quit, setting up Roddick for a likely clash with three-times defending champion Roger Federer.

Berdych consulted the trainer on several occasions in the first set but still managed to fight back from a break down and force a set point.

However, Roddick won the tiebreak 8-6 and once he broke in the second game of the second set to lead 2-0, Berdych decided he could not go on.

REUTERS PY KP2348