Lee Hyeong-taik to Play Roddick in ATP Tour Quarterfinal

Korean top tennis player Lee Hyeong-taik (Samsung Securities, photo) advanced to the quarterfinals for the third time this year in ATP Tour tournaments to play Andy Roddick (U.S.) in the next round.

On July 26, Lee, ranked 38th in the world, beat Paul Goldstein (U.S.), 96th, 2-0 (6-3, 6-3) in one hour and six minutes in the second round of the Indianapolis Championships.

On the momentum of his advance to the semifinals at the Countrywide Classic last week after advancing to the third round in Wimbledon, Lee cruised into the third round to warm up for the upcoming U.S. Open, the last major tournament of the season to be held next month. He has not lost a set in his two matches in the Indianapolis Championships.

Lee has played Roddick, 5th in the world, nine times in ATP Tour and lost to him except one time when he won his first ATP Tour championship title at the 2003 Sydney International by beating Roddick, 2-0 (7-6, 7-5).

Samsung Securities Head Coach Ju Won-hong said, “It depends on how effectively Lee will return Roddick’s strong serve.”

When he played Roddick in San Jose in 2005, he struggled against Roddick’s strong serve, yielding 17 service aces.

Lee secured 14,800 dollars and 40 tour points with his second round win at the tournament.

kjs0123@donga.com