By Steven Wine
The Associated Press

WIMBLEDON, England - As Centre Court fans applauded Andy Roddick's latest Wimbledon win, he gave them a thumbs-up sign, then puffed out his cheeks and exhaled in relief.

Straight-set victories are rarely so harrowing as the one Roddick earned Friday. He won every game he served, and that was just enough to beat Tommy Robredo 7-6 (5), 6-4, 6-4.

The No. 5-seeded Roddick will play in the second week at Wimbledon for the first time.

"You're thankful to still be around," he said. "The first week's always tough. There are a lot of guys with not a lot to lose just gunning. This is a big stage where they want to leave their mark. To survive it is tough."

Long touted as the next great American player, Roddick has a spotty record in Grand Slam events. He's into the fourth round for only the fourth time in the 11 major tournaments he has played. He's seeking his first Grand Slam title.

"The first one is always the toughest to get," said Roddick, 20. "The biggest fear is the fear of the unknown - if you haven't done it before, you don't know yet. But I'm starting to believe in myself, and I'm definitely here to try to win this tournament."

Roddick has yet to lose a set in three matches, and he's 8-0 on grass since Brad Gilbert became his coach earlier this month.

His fourth-round opponent Monday will be No. 12 Paradorn Srichaphan, who beat promising 17-year-old Spaniard Rafael Nadal 6-4, 6-4, 6-2.

Paradorn, who upset Andre Agassi in the second round at Wimbledon last year, is 1-1 against Roddick. They've never met on grass.

"He hits the ball very hard," Roddick said. "He really goes for his shots, and he's a super athlete, so it's going to be tough."

But Roddick will be wielding the big serve that saved him against Robredo. He hit nine aces and 33 service winners, faced only one break point and topped out at 135 mph.

"I feel like I'm playing good tennis at a Grand Slam," Roddick said, "and that's welcome."