Roddick races past home hope

The sixth seed posted a 6-1 6-4 6-4 victory over Frenchman Marc Gicquel on Suzanne Lenglen court to continue his terrific streak this week.

The American had gone out in the first round in his last two appearances here, in 2006 and 2007, but this week he is disproving the theory he is not a clay-court performer, and he has yet to drop a set in three matches.

"I felt like it was the same press conference for about four or five years in a row here," said Roddick, whose best previous performance at Roland Garros came in his opening visit, in 2001, when he made the third round. But if you take away this tournament, I have a pretty good clay-court CV.

"It's obviously not what my career is on other surfaces, but if you can compare it to guys who play well on this stuff or are a specialist, it matches up favourably. I certainly felt capable of making the second week of this event."

Gael Monfils, the 11th seed and a semi-finalist here last year, will be Roddick's next opponent after the Frenchman beat Jurgen Melzer 6-2 4-6 6-3 6-1.

Juan Martin del Potro advanced into the last 16 with an impressive straight-sets victory over Igor Andreev.

Despite being the fifth seed, the Argentinian has not been attracting the headlines this tournament but his progress has been smooth, and like Roddick he has yet to lose a set.

Away from the show courts again, Del Potro secured a 6-4 7-5 6-4 win on Court Two and will play Jo-Wilfried Tsonga or Christophe Rochus next.

Germany's Tommy Haas set up a potential fourth-round date with second seed Roger Federer after a 7-5 6-3 4-6 6-4 victory over Frenchman Jeremy Chardy. Federer plays Paul-Henri Mathieu later on Saturday on Philippe Chatrier court.