Roddick Rolls, Masters Contenders Lose at Paris

For Roddick it was a relieving rebound after barely edging countryman Taylor Dent in his opening round.

"Especially after (Wednesday), I did not feel comfortable about my game, but every aspect of it went fine," Roddick said. "I felt everything was flowing. I was not thinking, I just played. I had a pretty good start and he felt that."

In matches between Masters Cup contenders, No. 6 seed Ivan Ljubicic eliminated No. 9 Thomas Johansson from Shanghai contention 6-3, 7-6(4), and No. 7 Gaston Gaudio eliminated No. 12 Robby Ginepri in straight sets. Unseeded Tomas Berdych also cut off No. 13 Juan Carlos Ferrero's chances 7-5, 6-7(7), 6-4.

Other seeded winners were No. 3 Nikolay Davydenko (d. (Q) Tursunov from a set down) who has clinched his first Masters Cup berth, No. 8 Radek Stepanek (d. Mathieu), No. 10 Dave Ferrer (d. Haas in three) who still remains in Masters Cup contention, and No. 14 Tommy Robredo (d. (Q) Djokovic) who is also in contention.

Davydenko keeps winning, but also keeps testing an injured shoulder that could hamper him during the demanding Masters Cup.

"It's not a serious injury but it's painful," Davydenko said. "It's been a long season and my body needs a rest."

The unheralded Spaniard Ferrer will now have to beat Roddick in the quarterfinals to stay alive, then potentially beat Ljubicic in the semifinals.

Lining up for the Friday quarterfinals are (1) Roddick vs. (10) Ferrer, (6) Ljubicic vs. (14) Robredo, (3) Davydenko vs. (8) Stepanek, and (7) Gaudio vs. Berdych.