Richard reached the quarterfinales of Indian Wells for the first time in his career by defeating Andy Roddick 6-3 7-6(5).
Roddick came out serving at 230 km/h and Richard hit the BH wherever he wanted it. This decribes the first set, in which Richard managed to get a break for 3-1 and keeping it without problems to take the set 6-3.In the seond set, Roddick's serve was less powerful and Richard got into the groove even more. Winners on all accounts brought him a 2-0 lead right at the start. Unfortunately he could not convert additonal breakpoints. At 4*-3, Richard serving, Roddick decided to give it another go and broke back for 4 all. There were moments of concern when Roddick had three setpoints at 6-5, but Richard saved them all with good serving.
In the breaker Richard was 5-2 up, but Roddick came back to 5 all. However, Richard hit a gorgeous return winner at his first matchpoint on Roddick's serve for 7-5.
Richard had more than a dozen backhand winners and memories of his Wimbledon quarterfinal in 2007 came up. His next opponent is Novak Djokovic.
