John McEnroe often talks about how sometimes, a player sees a couple of top favorites struggling to win their matches and can draw extra motivation from it. Perhaps that’s how Andy Roddick felt waiting around a little longer than expected after four-time defending U.S. Open champ Roger Federer was taken the distance by hard slugging Russian Igor Andreev before coming up with the goods in a very exciting 6-7 (5), 7-6 (5), 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 Round of 16 victory to advance into the quarterfinals.

On a day which began later than expected due to another top contender Novak Djokovic needing to overcome physical elements in the heat as well as his gritty Spanish opponent Tommy Robredo 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, 5-7, 6-3, the 12-time Swiss slam champion was forced to dig deep as well into his bag of tricks reaching for something unfamiliar in recent times- the net. With his forehand going off for an untimely number of miscues with almost half of his 60 errors, Federer decided to switch tactics and come into the net more than usual.

The strategy paid dividends as he won a good share of key points finishing 58-for-84 (69 percent) including fighting off four break chances in one service game where Andreev mustered all he could in a last desperate attempt to get the final set back on serve. One save in particular might just have been the difference between winning and losing as Federer neatly picked up a tough half volley intentionally leaving it short forcing his opponent to hustle for a backhand which he blocked with a forehand reply that cut it almost too fine landing smack on the right line. The No.2 ranked player pumped his fist twice before eventually holding to plenty of support from a pro-Federer Ashe Stadium crowd.

Before that pivotal point, he had had opportunities to go up double break but just couldn’t find the right touch on his bread and butter shot either netting it when he had it lined up or going for too much missing it a foot wide leaving both former Open winners McEnroe and special guest Boris Becker noting a disturbing difference in Federer’s game. Becker would later say after one miss:

“In 2007, he makes that shot.“

But as McEnroe pointed out at the end of the day, as long as he came out winning that final point, Federer could be happy knowing he moved on needing to go five for only the third time in his U.S. Open career and first since that epic five setter played over two days in which he defeated Andre Agassi in very tough windy conditions four years ago. Something a very happy and smiling Federer pointed out later in an on court interview with USA Network’s Michael Barkan.

“I don’t give myself the opportunity that much, you know, because I always win easily,” he explained following a huge double pump of the fists along with an emotional big scream which the New York crowd loved. He’ll next play surprising qualifier Gilles Muller who continued his run to the quarters upsetting No.5 seeded Russian Nikolay Davydenko 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (10) fighting off seven set points which would’ve forced a fifth set leaving a defeated player tossing his racket.

As for Federer, he properly added of his victory which took more than three and a half hours to complete:

“I was just really pleased with my fighting spirit.”

That same fighting spirit was enough to pull a younger Djokovic through despite a very stiff challenge from Robredo. In all sorts of discomfort due to a turned ankle and breathing issues which stirred up images of his past, the No.3 seeded Serb tried very hard to get it done in four even getting a couple of break points. But Robredo hung tough serving his way out of trouble before finding that one break he needed on a wild Djokovic forehand miss to force the final set.

However, Djokovic steadied himself really stinging the ball and applying the pressure to his opponent whose fall which looked harmless might’ve done more damage tightening his right shoulder early in the deciding set. Afterwards, he misfired on more shots allowing the 21 year-old Australian Open champ to take control. From there, after a hold he got that second break concluding matters which meant he didn’t have to serve it out.

“Just trying to show them, you know, how much effort I put into this match,” Djokovic analyzed of pointing to his heart emphatically, legs and head while looking to his box where family and coach celebrated the hard fought win.

He then properly added:

“Somehow, I managed.”

With his fourth round match delayed due to the previous couple of five setters, a focused Andy Roddick took to Ashe and put on a show for his pro-crowd playing arguably the most efficient tennis of his career by easily dismissing 11th seeded Chilean gunslinger Fernando Gonzalez 6-2, 6-4, 6-1.

Just how utterly dominant was the recently turned 26 year-old with the most beautiful audience fiancee Brooklyn Decker looking on along with “new coach” Patrick McEnroe? The very confident former 2003 Open champion served incredibly well winning 93 percent (37 of 40) on his first serve and a very impressive 73 percent (16 of 22) on his second serve meaning that he only dropped nine total points on serve which explained why he required only an hour and 27 minutes to finish off a beaten Gonzalez who just never looked in it.

Roddick not only served well but played the kind of clean tennis which frustrated his opponent. In sharp contrast, he committed only seven unforced errors to his opponent’s 33. Playing unbelievable defense, several times he hustled down balls keeping rallies alive waiting for an errant Gonzalez miss or working his way back in the rally before finishing it off with one of his 30 winners.

One such big point saw him up 5-4 with a set point on Gonzalez’ serve. On it, the feisty 28 year-old Olympic silver medalist tried to seize control of it by dictating play with his top heavy shots. However, the No.8 seeded American stayed right with him eventually drawing the Chilean into net and then outwaited him before ripping a perfect backhand crosscourt for a winner to finish off the second set in style with a couple of pumps of the fist.

It wouldn’t take long to dispatch Gonzalez in the third set as his more consistent aggressive style which also saw him win 69 percent at the net (20 of 29) proved to be too much to overcome. Though a couple of big backhands produced the only break chance which Roddick quickly erased with some more solid play before holding for 4-1.

Following his fifth break of the match, a very happy Roddick served it out with ease nailing a couple of his eight aces including one out wide before celebrating with a large smile while enjoying the New York spotlight.

“I’ve got to feel good,” he told Barkan of meeting a weary Djokovic this Thursday night in what promises to be a quality quarterfinal. “He’s got about 16 injuries right now.”

Roddick should feel good because while two of the heavy favorites struggled to move on, he made a dangerous foe look routine. We’ll see if it carries over.

Dementieva and Jankovic setup Eastern Europe semi clash: On the women’s side which has seen its share of upsets, there were no surprises Tuesday as both Elena Dementieva and Jelena Jankovic easily advanced to an all Eastern European semifinal showdown on Friday.

The No.5 seeded Russian Dementieva who took Olympic gold in Beijing continued her steady play easily getting past No.15 Patty Schnyder 6-2, 6-3. She’s a former finalist here and is aiming for her first grand slam title. The 26 year-old veteran will have to get past No.2 seeded Serbian Jankovic, who for once didn’t need three sets to eliminate experienced 28 year-old Austrian Sabille Bammer 6-1, 6-4.

The winner could likely face either Williams sister. In their 17th ever career meeting later tonight, big sis Venus Williams will battle little sis Serena Williams for a spot in the semis while Russian Dinara Safina takes on Italian Flavia Pennetta earlier today.

With Venus taking three of the last four meetings including an exciting Wimbledon final 7-5, 6-4, the series is all knotted at eight apiece.

Not for long.