Andy Roddick exits to Steve Darcis in third round – Winston-Salem Open 2012
Former world number one, Andy Roddick, was underplayed by the Belgian star, Steve Darcis, in straight sets at the Winston-Salem Open 2012 on Wednesday. He suffered a 6-7(6), 6-7(3) shock at the hands of the world number 81 in the pre-quarters at this ATP
(Association of Tennis Professionals) World Tour 250 series event held in North Carolina, United States.
Seeded fifth in this tournament, Roddick registered impressive stats but trailed in the tie-breaker of both sets, ultimately falling to the Belgian for the first time in their third encounter. Darcis on the other hand avenged his loss at the Eastbourne ATP
event earlier this season and powered into the quarter-finals of this hard court event.
“I served okay, but I didn’t return too well,” Roddick reflected after exiting from the tournament. “I didn’t hit the ball clean and he played better when he had to. I wanted to play better here.”
The Belgian stated after the match, “I didn’t expect this when I came here, I wasn’t playing well. I’ve played two good first matches and now I have played well, serving well and trying to be aggressive when I could. Of course it is a good win before the
US Open.”
Roddick enthusiastically entered the Wake Forest University. The American showed brilliant defensive skills and after warding off all three breakpoints he faced, Roddick kept his entire serves. Regardless of failing to seek any break opportunity, he stayed
focused and took the set to a tie-breaker. However, the American was edged out in it, eventually enduring a 6-7(6) loss.
Currently ranked 21st in the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings, Roddick re-focused in the second set. He swiftly plucked his entire serves without facing any trouble. The American also found a break chance but squandered it, subsequently
taking the set to a tie-breaker. However, Roddick again trailed and consequently suffered a 6-7(3) defeat.
On the whole, Roddick smashed eight aces and produced a better first serve share of 71 per cent as opposed to the Belgian’s 61 per cent. He also spilled fewer errors but failed to cash in any break opportunity.
The 28-year-old on the other end advanced into the final eight where second seed Tomas Berdych waits. The Czech number one eased past the 16th seed, Jarkko Nieminen, in straight sets. He capitalised on three out of five break chances to formulate
a 6-3, 6-2 victory in one hour and six minutes.
Tags: