Andy Roddick insists he won't die wondering when he takes on world No.1 Roger Federer in a dream Australian Open semi-final at Melbourne Park on Thursday night.

Roddick earned his shot at grand-slam redemption with a ruthless 6-2 6-2 6-2 quarter-final victory on Tuesday over good friend and former housemate Mardy Fish before Federer etched his name in the history books once more with a 6-3 7-6 (7-2) 7-5 dismissal of seventh-seeded Spaniard Tommy Robredo.

In qualifying for his 11th successive grand-slam semi-final, Federer surpassed Ivan Lendl's open-era record of 10 straight appearances in the last four of a major, set between the 1985 US Open and 1988 Australian Open.

Nevertheless, Roddick - fresh from his exhibition win over Federer at the Kooyong Classic 10 days ago - fancies his chances of ending the Swiss marvel's imperious run.

Trailing 12-1 in their career series, Roddick's long list of losses includes shattering defeats in the 2004 and 2005 Wimbledon finals and also last year's US Open final in New York.

But the sixth-seeded American says a near-miss against his long-time nemesis at the season-ending Masters Cup in November had given him a newfound belief.

Roddick held match points against Federer in Shanghai before succumbing 4-6 7-6 (12-10) 6-4 and maintains he is gaining ground on the Open's defending champion.

"The gap has either been closing a little bit or just he hasn't been extending it, which he's probably done the last three years or so," Roddick said. "That's a good thing.

"With the match in Shanghai (in mind), I'm going to go in with a shot. I like going up and competing against him, I really do. I'm looking forward to the opportunity. I feel like I'm in good form."

Jimmy Connors has also brought an extra dimension to Roddick's game since being appointed coach last July and the 2003 US Open champion will heed the advice of his legendary mentor to take it to Federer at every opportunity - just as he did in their four-set final at Flushing Meadows.

"I've been a little bit more successful the last couple times I played him," Roddick said.

"I don't feel like you can sit back and let him create. I think that's when you get in trouble.

"I'm going to have to go with what I do well and try to attack him, at least make him come up with shots from uncomfortable positions.

"If he's comfortable and set while hitting the ball, that makes it tough."

Despite committing a meagre four unforced errors in three sets, Roddick was anything but comfortable in handing out a lesson to Fish in their quarter-final mismatch.

"I tried my best to kind of put our friendship to the back of my head before we went out there. It's always difficult. It's a weird, weird situation," Roddick said.

"I played pretty flawless, I thought. I did everything pretty well. It was probably the best I've played against him. But, being that we're close, I think it takes away maybe a little bit of the elation."

Fish, who lived with the Roddick family in Florida for a year in 1999 and played on the same high school tennis and basketball teams with his great mate, was making his first appearance in a major quarter-final.

But ranked 42nd in the world, Fish was out of his league.

"I didn't give him much, I don't feel like, but he came up with every answer that I gave him today," Fish said.

Federer dropped serve four times but still managed to see off Robredo without conceding a set to maintain his unblemished record this campaign.

The top seed said he was excited to be renewing his rivalry with Roddick.

"It's great to see Andy doing well. We've had some great matches over the years," Federer said.

"I'm looking forward to that match.

"He's in good form so I better play well."

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