"I've been hitting the ball really well in practice. I've started serving well in practice. I've been playing the right way in practice," Roddick said after his workout Sunday. "So, you know, there's no reason why I can't make a run here."
He was given the day off on Monday, when No. 1 Roger Federer begins his quest for a fourth consecutive U.S. Open title by facing 319th-ranked qualifier Scoville Jenkins of the United States.
Federer aims for his 12th Grand Slam title, which would tie him for second in history behind Pete Sampras' 14.
"He's the favorite," Roddick said about Federer, his possible quarterfinal opponent. "The way I see it, there's the favorite and then there's people trying to unseat the favorite."
Last year, he was helped by five-time Open champion Connors and showcasing a more forward-pushing style, he came back to the final at Flushing Meadows, dropping a four-setter to Federer.
The last time Roddick was seen on a major tournament was last month at Wimbledon, where instead of advancing to the semi-finals he lost his quarter-final against Richard Gasquet.
"You wish you could have a delete button of your thoughts. But you figure out how to do that, let me know. ... It's a new part of the year. It doesn't do any good to beat yourself up over it," Roddick said.