What Roddick needs to do to finally overcome Federer

Andy Roddick (left) has a task ahead: He's 1-13 lifetime against Roger Federer and has never beaten the No. 1 in a Grand Slam. Chuck Solomon/SI

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NEW YORK -- This we know: Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer will not meet in a third straight Grand Slam final. But there are still plenty of intriguing matches in the men's draw. Most immediately, Federer takes on Andy Roddick Wednesday night.

Once hailed as Federer's rival, Roddick has beaten the Swiss Mister only once in their 14 career matches. If Roddick stands a chance of winning their quarterfinal showdown and reversing that grim math, here are five things he must do:

• Serve bombs. That means lot of aces, so-called cheap points and "easy holds." That means a high first-serve percentage. That means variety to keep Federer guessing. Roddick's delivery is his biggest asset. As Spain's Feliciano Lopez demonstrated for an hour Monday night, the best chance at beating Federer is with relentless aggression and accuracy. A substandard night of serving for Roddick and this match could be over in time for The Daily Show.

• Ride the storm out. In their last match, a semifinal encounter at the Australian Open, the two played fairly evenly for a set. Then Federer "caught a gear," as they say in pool, and simply couldn't miss. Roddick did little to displace Federer from "The Zone," and, in roughly the time it takes to read this sentence, The Mighty Fed rolled, 6-4, 6-0, 6-2. By the end, it was less a high stakes tennis match than a shot-making exhibition. Roddick had been transformed from opponent to foil. It's virtually inevitable Federer will get some momentum and play flawless tennis for a stretch. Roddick somehow needs to be brakeman and stop the runaway train.

• Pick spots. To his credit, Roddick has made a conscientious effort to expand his game against Federer, in particular attacking the net. It's a sensible strategy to apply pressure, but Roddick must be judicious and he must, as he likes to phrase it, "put some stick" on his approach shots. When Roddick bunts the ball to the middle of the court -- particularly on pedestrian slice backhands -- Federer whistles passing shots by him. Roddick not only loses the point, but walks back to the baseline demoralized.

• Keep cool. Roddick is a rational, aware guy and one can be assured he's intimately aware of his futility against Federer. In his press conference after his fourth-round win, Roddick was visibly testy discussing Federer. There were lots of sarcastic remarks and dismissive comments. Did he plan to watch Federer's fourth-round match? Channeling Jimmy Connors, Roddick remarked: "I don't think I'm going to watch him and discover he's good, you know." If Roddick can use this anger as fuel, it will serve him well. If he can't control his anger and frustration, things could get ugly.

• Use the crowd. Because he is the underdog, because he is American, because he has the pyrotechnics to win, Roddick ought to be the overwhelming crowd favorite. If Roddick can engage the fans early in the match -- an early break of serve would be ideal -- it will be to his advantage. Much more so than Federer, Roddick is an emotional dude. The vocal support of 23,000 fans could make an impact.

The guess here: Federer in four sets. But it ought to be fun.

Who do you like in tonight's match?