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Scripps Howard News Service

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- The comparisons fly past Andy Roddick almost as quickly as his powerful serves zoom by his bewildered opponents.

Everywhere he goes, at every event he enters, the sensational 18-year-old tennis player hears the flattering comments from tournament directors, fans and media types. The talk goes something like this: "He's the next great American player," or "This guy is the next Pete Sampras."

Roddick, from Boca Raton, Fla., says he doesn't feel the weight of the words as his budding career takes off.

"It happens at every tournament," he said. "I hear it every time I talk to the press or I will see things written. I try not to think about it. What people say won't help me win matches.

"I've been compared to most of the guys. They are looking for an American to replace them. There are a group of guys they think can do it, and I am one of them.

"I don't think about it much. It's not good or bad. I just let people say what they will. The only pressure I feel is what I put on myself." For a player who only turned pro in February, Roddick has shown skills worthy of the comparisons. In Tuesday's first-round singles action at the University of Tennessee/USTA Men's Challenger he overcame an excellent performance by Robby Ginepri, another young standout, to win 6-2, 5-7, 7-6 (2).

After dominating the first set against Ginepri, Roddick faltered somewhat in the second and third sets. But he persevered against his less-experienced opponent and finally won the grueling match.

"I was playing all right but then I let off a little and Robbie raised his game tremendously," said Roddick, this year's U.S. Open and Australian Open Junior champion. "He was outplaying me. There was a momentum swing. I double-faulted to give him break. He broke me three times in the second set." Roddick got frustrated, but not flustered. His fantastic serve helped him take control and win a tough third set for the match.

"I got a lucky break here and there," he said. "I know if I stick around long enough I will get a chance." That combination of talent and confidence led to Roddick's decision to turn pro rather than play college tennis. His older brother, John, is an assistant coach at the University of Georgia.

"I thought about college for a long time but then my results told me otherwise," Roddick said. "College was always in my mind until I started doing well. Last December I won two big junior tournaments. I figured it was time to step up with the big boys." And step up he has. Roddick, who has competed in just nine pro tournaments, won the Austin Challenger and the Burbank Challenger.

He has victories over Fabrice Santoro of France, who has been ranked as high as 30th in the world, and Fernando Vicente of Spain, who has been ranked 40th. How quickly does Roddick expect to join the elite? "As soon as possible," he said.