Roddick earns shot at No. 1 Federer

NEW YORK – Andy Roddick smacked a 135 mph service winner, leaned back and screamed, then nodded his head as he jogged to the sideline, knowing he was one set away from a U.S. Open final showdown against Roger Federer.

Jimmy Connors, Roddick’s new guru, stood and applauded, enjoying his pupil’s work. And 42 minutes later, Roddick’s day was done, finally subduing Mikhail Youzhny 6-7 (5), 6-0, 7-6 (3), 6-3 Saturday in the semifinals.

Now comes a far tougher task: facing No. 1-ranked Federer, the first man since Rod Laver in 1961-62 to reach six consecutive Grand Slam finals. The two-time defending champion flashed all of his many talents in a 6-1, 7-5, 6-4 victory over No. 7 Nikolay Davydenko in the first semifinal.

“I’m just going to go out and throw it all at him. I’m just going to go for it. Just play the way I have. We’ve been simplifying it,” said Roddick, 18-1 since pairing with five-time Open champion Connors this summer. “If the guy plays too well, then he plays too well. But I’m not going to lay down.”

Easier said than done, of course. Federer is 10-1 against Roddick, including wins in the 2004 and 2005 Wimbledon finals.

“It’s obviously more difficult here, because of the crowd and … playing an American and everything,” Federer said. “And the only time I lost against him was on hard court. Wasn’t here, but was on hard court.”

Federer will bid for a ninth major title today.

Roddick won the 2003 U.S. Open and finished that year at No. 1, but he’s still seeking his second major championship. He was stunned in the first round at Flushing Meadows a year ago, part of a crisis of confidence that led to a 10-month title drought and a brief slip out of the top 10.