Third seed Andy Roddick brushed aside Nicolas Escude 6-3, 6-2 at the Pacific Life Open on Wednesday to set up a quarter-final showdown with Tim Henman.

The British ninth seed had earlier looked equally as impressive in easing to a 6-1, 6-3 victory over Australia's Wayne Arthurs.

In the women's event, third seeded American Lindsay Davenport continued her march through the injury-depleted draw, despatching Argentine qualifier Gisela Dulko 6-3, 6-2 to reach the last four.

Davenport will next meet the winner of the later match between Colombia's Fabiola Zuluaga and Nathalie Dechy of France.

Roddick confirmed his position as the world's fastest server with 17 booming aces against his net-rushing French opponent as he registered a tour-high 20th victory of the season.

He complemented his serve with 33 winners and a brilliant display when returning.

During his most devastating spell, the 21-year-old American sent down four consecutive aces in the fifth game of the first set and added three more in his next service game.

"I feel good," Roddick said.

"I'm in a pretty good groove right now. I just want to keep it up."

Henman, who reached the final here two years ago, put on a solid display against serve-and-volleyer Arthurs, converting all five of his break point opportunities.

The Briton served efficiently, volleyed with precision and benefited from an aggressive approach to his return of serve.

"I felt like every service game of his, I was really making him play, hitting good passing shots," Henman said.

"It's a great feeling for me and I'm sure not a good one for him."

WINNING RECORD

Henman enjoys a 2-1 career advantage over Roddick with the second of those wins coming at the Paris Masters last autumn, where he went on to capture his first career Tennis Masters Series title.

Roddick said that he needed to be at the top of his game to advance to the semi-finals.

"We've always been pretty even," Roddick said.

"It's down to wins the bigger points, who steps up and hits their shots."

The fourth-ranked Davenport has yet to lose a set in the tournament and is a strong favourite to reach the final, given that a number of the top WTA players pulled out of the tournament with injuries.

After an injury-plagued 2003, Davenport considered retirement in the off-season but after successfully undergoing toe surgery and hiring a new trainer, the 27-year-old feels she is in the best shape of her career.

"The last six months I've tried a lot harder and have really enjoyed it. Hopefully I can remain injury free," Davenport added.

American James Blake beat compatriot Taylor Dent 7-6, 4-6, 6-1 to set up a match against Georgia's Irakli Labadze, who overcame Argentina Agustin Calleri 1-6, 6-3, 6-4.