New York ? As Pete Sampras pumped his fist to celebrate a volley winner that closed the second set, Andy Roddick flashed an admiring thumbs up and then bowed, acknowledging that his idol still has what it takes.

This cross-generational matchup was no match at all. Smacking aces at more than 130 mph and covering every inch of the net, Sampras looked like the younger man Thursday night and dominated Roddick 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 to reach the U.S. Open semifinals. It took only 90 minutes.

“This is what I play for. I was ready to go from the first point on,” said Sampras, who hasn’t won a tournament in two years. “I’m just confident in the big moment that I’m going to come through. I spent moments of struggling with the confidence this year but I can get it back pretty quickly.”

It was Sampras’ 29th Grand Slam quarterfinal, and Roddick’s second. Sampras came in with 200 match victories in majors, Roddick with 15.

“You guys say Pete is washed up. I never said it,” Roddick said. “I don’t think anybody doubts the fact that he’s capable of great tennis still.”

Sampras, seeking his fifth U.S. Open championship, will be favored Saturday against No. 24 Sjeng Schalken, who outlasted No. 28 Fernando Gonzalez 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-3, 6-7 (5), 7-6 (2).

Saturday’s other semifinal is Andre Agassi vs. defending champion Lleyton Hewitt.

The women play their semifinals today, with Venus and Serena Williams bidding to set up a third straight all-sister Grand Slam final. Venus, the two-time champion, faces Amelie Mauresmo, followed by Serena vs. Lindsay Davenport.