A Champion’s Fall: Andy Roddick defeated by Tipsarevic at US Open
With the likes of Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Andy Murray going great guns at the US Open 2010 currently underway in New York, a former champion there fell the other day after a fiery clash. American Andy Roddick was gunned down by an early defeat to Janko Tipsarevic during the night session.
It was a humbling experience for Roddick who made his early lead pay as he fell to some brilliant tennis by Tipsarevic. At first, Roddick was quick off the blocks as he cruised into a one set lead; he looked calm and focused while Tipsarevic seemed unable to handle either his stroke play or his bullet serving.
However with the onset of second set, Roddick began to lose his concentration as Tipsarevic turned up the heat with some magnificent shots. Roddick looked consistently under pressure as he tried to keep up with his opponent who now began to feel that he suddenly has a chance against the former US Open champion. Tipsarevic saw off the second set 7-5.
During the crucial third set, Roddick finally lost his cool with the line judge over a foot fault. With anger and a loss of concentration, he ultimately lost his way as Tipsarevic won the match by 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, and 7-6 ( 7-4).
Later, Roddick admitted that he might have over-reacted which also might have affected his game. However, the 28-year-old said, "I wasn't upset with the call, I just expect my umpires to know their left foot from the right foot. It's the fact that I couldn't get her to admit it wasn't the right foot which infuriated me, the lack of common sense was unbelievable to me. We have got to be able to have a test like 'Point to your right foot, point to your left foot, now call lines.'”
In yet another surprise at the US Open, the Wimbledon finalist and Federer conqueror, Tomas Berdych fell to France’s Michael Llodra. The seventh seed would have been in line to face Andy Murray during the quarter finals but he lost 7-6 (7-3), 6-4, and 6-4. With temperatures peaking at Flushing, Berdych admitted that it might have been his form which led him to a defeat against the world number 35. Llodra’s prize for overcoming Berdych will be a second round date against Victor Hanescu.
Meanwhile, Croatia’s Ivan Ljubicic also fell against the US teenage qualifier Ryan Harrison by 6-3, 6-7 (4-7), 6-3, and 6-4. The 31-year-old Ljubicic blamed the weather conditions for his defeat. In the tournament’s other matches, 14th seed Nicolas Almagro had an easier time as he won over Potito Starace 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, and 7-6 (7-5). The 25th seed Stanislas Wawrinka also seemed to be in impressive form as he annihilated Kazakhstan's Mikhail Kukushkin by 6-3, 6-2, and 6-2.
Sam Querrey of the US faced a tough battle but still managed to defeat fellow countryman Bradley Klahn 6-3, 4-6, 7-5, and 6-4. France's Gael Monfils was in flow as he saw off the challenge of Igor Andreev 6-3, 6-4, and 6-3 while the 18th seed American John Isner defeated Frederico Gil of Portugal by 6-4, 6-3, and 6-4 to proceed towards the next round.
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