Germany's Rainer Schuettler promised to make a match of Sunday's Australian Open final after his surprise victory over ninth seed Andy Roddick in Friday's semi.

But it may be a difficult promise to keep.

Schuettler, the 31st seed, won 7-5 2-6 6-3 6-3 in a match in which he was the pronounced underdog.

Roddick, six years Schuettler's junior and 20 places up the ladder in the world rankings, is a quarter finalist at the past two US Opens and very much the brightest young star in the game.

But Schuettler absorbed the American's biggest hits, banking on his easier path to the semi-finals to ultimately give him the advantage.

Only two days before Friday night's match, Roddick endured a five-set epic in the quarters and before that had come back from 2-0 down to win his fourth round match in five sets.

Schuettler had played fewer sets and had benefited from a walkover in the third round when Marat Safin pulled out.

On Friday he also had patience on his side.

The big-serving Roddick attempted to overpower Schuettler from the start, but by the end of second set he had aggravated a wrist injury which required courtside treatment.

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