Murray sets up likely Roddick semi in Memphis

MEMPHIS, Tennessee, Feb 24 (Reuters) Third seed Andy Murray set up a likely semi-final against Andy Roddick by hammering unseeded Austrian Stefan Koubek 6-3 6-2 at the Memphis International.

The 19-year-old Briton broke serve to love in the second game and took only 61 minutes to dismiss world number 73 Koubek yesterday.

Murray beat Roddick in the semis on the way to landing the San Jose Open title in California last weekend. The top-seeded American can line up a chance for revenge by defeating Yen-Hsun Lu of Taiwan later on Friday.

Once he had broken Koubek early, the result was never in doubt as Murray eased through the gears to reach the semis for the third time in four events this year, extending his winning streak to eight matches.

He has now won 15 of his 17 matches, a mark he did not reach in 2006 until Wimbledon.

''That's the best match I have played so far,'' Murray told reporters. ''I hit the ball really well from the ground, didn't make too many unforced errors and took my chances when I had them.

''That's two matches in a row where I haven't dropped my serve and that's a good run to be on.'' With the young Scot rock solid from the baseline, Koubek tried to press and made too many mistakes.

The Austrian's only chance came when he forced two break points in the fourth game. But Murray shut the door with two strong serves before breaking in the next game and easing to victory on his third match point.

Though he has won three of his four meetings with Roddick, Murray said he felt he would still be the underdog.

''I still say he is the favourite,'' Murray said. ''He is number four in the world, has won a grand slam and has been number one. For me to win against a guy like that is still a huge result.

''He's got one of the best serves in the game and if he serves big when it's important then it's tough for me to win.

''I feel like I read his serve pretty well and don't get aced that often by him. It is important that I take the chances when he does miss his first serve and then dictate play from the baseline.'' STUNNING HAAS Holder Tommy Haas produced a stunning performance to beat American wildcard Sam Querrey 6-2 6-2.

The second-seeded German dropped only six points on serve as he wrapped up victory in 44 minutes to set up a meeting with fourth-seeded American Mardy Fish.

''I knew I had to serve really well,'' Haas said. ''When I got a break right away I got the momentum and felt pretty solid throughout.'' World number 25 Fish reached his second semi of the year when Russian Teimuraz Gabashvili retired, trailing 6-2 4-1, because of the viral illness that has affected several players at the tournament.

Fish, who reached the Australian Open quarter-finals last month, did not lose a point on his first serve.

''I served great again,'' he said. ''I didn't know he was sick but I felt like I was in control.'' The American is enjoying his best start to a year, having won 12 of 15 matches and advanced to at least the quarter-finals in his four events.

REUTERS PM VC0922