Andy Roddick was surprised by the power and accuracy of Xavier Malisse's serve. Needing to give himself a chance to break serve late in the third set, Roddick dropped about eight feet behind the baseline to show the Belgian a different look. The strategy paid off. "I wasn't returning well close in," Roddick said. "I just didn't have my timing or whatever. I think he missed eight of his first nine serves when I stood back and did that." Roddick, the No. 1 seed, beat Malisse 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the quarterfinals of the Atlanta Tennis Championships on Friday night. John Isner, the second seed, took less than an hour in the afternoon to beat Michael Russell 6-1, 6-2. http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/news/story?id=5405322
