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Andy Roddick of the United States - Source: Reuters -
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When Andy Roddick steps on to centre court for his Australian Open semi-final against Roger Federer on Thursday the American will be only too aware his record against the sublime Swiss is woeful to say the least.
Only twice in 17 previous meetings has the American got the better of Federer.
Fortunately, Roddick is blessed with a great degree of self-awareness and, knowing the enormity of his task, is taking solace from small mercies.
"I think it helps that I stopped a big streak against him last year in Miami," Roddick said of the win which ended a run of 11 defeats stretching back to 2003.
"The thing about Roger, one of the things that makes him great, is he makes that very difficult.
"You're dealing with a guy who's probably the greatest ever."
It is almost six years since Roddick won his lone grand slam crown - the 2003 US Open - and he has been runner-up three times since: at Wimbledon in 2004 and 2005 and in New York in 2006.
Each time Roddick's conqueror has been Federer, but the American is in no mood to quit.
"I'm 26-years-old. What the hell else am I going to do with myself? Let's be honest," he told reporters.
"That's obviously the motivation behind it. The other thing is you just don't want to look back on the your career with regrets."
Federer said he was taking nothing for granted.
"He beat me last time we played. Maybe now he's in better shape I should have no chance," smiled Federer, who is just two matches away from equalling Pete Sampras's record of 14 grand slam titles.
"It's a tennis match. You never know what is going to happen. That's why it starts at 0-0.
"I'm excited playing Andy. I'm happy for him. He's doing well here again."
In the women's draw it is Serena Williams against Russia, after the American found herself snuggled into the semis with three Muscovites.
Having beaten Svetlana Kuznetsova in the quarter-finals, she now faces fourth-seed Elena Dementieva for a spot in Saturday's final.
Dinara Safina takes on Vera Zvonareva in the other semi.
