Roddick into semis as ill Djokovic withdraws

American Andy Roddick powered into the Australian Open semi-finals today when defending champion Novak Djokovic pulled out ill trailing 7-6 (7/3), 4-6, 2-6, 1-2.

The Serbian World No 3 broke through for his first Grand Slam win on this day last year, but he looked a forlorn figure as he conceded to Roddick after becoming more and more distressed on a scorching hot day.

Roddick, who has now reached the semi-finals in Melbourne four times, was playing high class tennis when Djokovic withdrew and may well have progressed regardless.

But he said he still had a hollow feeling.

"I feel for Novak because he worked so hard to win the title and for him not to get a fair chance to defend it, it's too bad," Roddick said.

There was no indication that Djokovic had any problems over the early stages and he looked firmly in control as he took a tight first set.

He continued to show no signs of illness as he and Roddick slugged out the second set, however, he appeared to begin to try and shorten the points as the set wore on.

Roddick broke him for the first time in the match in the seventh game and went on to claim the set 6-4 to level the match.

At the start of the third set Djokovic started looking towards the players' box between each point and at the first change of ends he called for a medical time out.

He came back out but promptly lost his serve, hitting some lethargic shots as Roddick attacked.

It looked at that stage that Djokovic would call an end, but he battled on and actually broke Roddick for the fist time in the match.

But the American broke twice more in the set to take a commanding lead as Djokovic again asked for the doctor at the change of ends.

Djokovic struggled to hold the first serve of the fourth set, saving five break points, only for Roddick to come out and win his serve to love, then break the defending champion to love to go ahead 2-1.

Djokovic talked to the doctor once more and decided he couldn't continue, his title defence over.