Agassi's advice works wonders for Roddick

MIAMI, MARCH 28. Andre Agassi watched in dismay from a broadcast booth as young Andy Roddick began to act his age, losing four consecutive games and nearly blowing the first set at the Ericsson Open.

Then came a rain delay, and Agassi went downstairs to offer his heir apparent some advice. ``He kind of told me to get my head together a little bit and to calm down,'' Roddick said.

They also talked strategy, and Roddick put the tips to good use, regrouping to beat Andrei Pavel 7-6 (12-10), 6-2 on Tuesday and became the youngest men's quarterfinalist in tournament history. Roddick, 18, said he wasn't surprised when Agassi sought him out during the rain delay. They're occasional hitting partners at Roddick's home in Boca Raton.

In the women's section, World No. 1 Martina Hingis and third seed Venus Williams each put off-court distractions behind them to record impressive wins and set up a tantalising semifinal showdown.

Hingis, who has been subpoenaed to appear in a Florida court at the trial of a man accused of stalking her, struggled early then found top gear yesterday, sweeping 10 consecutive games to speed into the final four with a 7-5, 6-0 demolition of 10th-seeded German Anke Huber.

Williams put aside the racism controversy swirling around her family long enough to post a surprisingly easy 6-2, 6- 3 win over Jelena Dokic of Yugoslavia.

The results:

Men (fourth round): Lleyton Hewitt bt Fabrice Santoro 3-6, 6-1, 6-2; Patrick Rafter bt Alex Corretja 6-4, 6-3; Gaston Gaudio bt Juan Carlos Ferrero 6-0, 3-6, 6-3; Jan-Michael Gambill bt Jonas Bjorkman 6-1, 6-2; Andy Roddick bt Andrei Pavel 7-6 (12-10), 6-2; Ivan Ljubicic bt Carlos Moya 6- 3, 4-6, 6-4; Roger Federer bt Thomas Johansson 7-6 (7-3), 5-7, 7- 6 (9-7); Andre Agassi w/o. Tommy Haas.

Women (quarterfinals): Martina Hingis bt Anke Huber 7-5, 6-0; Venus Williams bt Jelena Dokic 6-2, 6-3.

- Reuters

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