David Ferrer vs Andy Roddick – Fourth Round Preview: US Open 2011
One of the most exciting matches of the US Open 2011 is scheduled on Tuesday, 6th September at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, New York, USA. Andy Roddick, American, is up to play his quarter-final
match against the world No.5, David Ferrer, the Spaniard.
The two tennis sensations have a strong rivalry since 2005. Although Spaniards are known for their performance on clay courts, Ferrer has been an exception. Aged 29, Ferrer has been consistent in holding on to its rankings. Regarded
as an all-court player, the Spaniard is an aggressive player and is considered one of the most agile players in the game.
Ferrer, world No.5, has no major weapons; however, he is noted for being one of the more dogged and fit players. Known as ‘The Wall’, the 29-year-old has won matches based on his strong base play and greater fitness. Although the
former world No.4 has no speciality, however, he uses long rallies in his advantage. His signature shot is the inside-out forehand which he often uses to finish off points.
Bearing in mind the last 10 matches the Spaniard has played, he has managed to win 8 out of them. Unlike other players, Ferrer has managed to equal his win records on both clay courts and on hard.
Ferrer’s adversary, Roddick, has a history to be told. Ranked as the former world No.1, the American world No.21 has been one of the best players of hard court ever. Historically, the American has bagged 30 titles altogether, however,
this season he managed to win only one.
The American uses a completely different technique. Considered as the most powerful server in the game ever, Roddick has made history when he served at 155 miles per hour at the 2004 Davis Cup. However, the record was broken after
7 years when Ivo Karlovic served a mile faster, 156 in the same event.
Combining his unplayable serves with his favourite off-forehand shot often frustrates his opponents resulting in easy points. The 29-year-old has another mesmeriser called the kicker-out-wide. Occasionally, the former world No.1
also use the serve-and-volley tactic on both first and second services to bombshell his challenger, though he usually prefers to stay near the baseline after a serve.
Considering the rivalry between the two, Ferrer has been dominant on the whole. Out of the 8 matches the two played prior to this match, Ferrer has won 5 of them and mostly on hard court. Regardless the fact that Roddick has touched
the top spot, his performance in recent years has decreased.
Predicatively, the Spaniard will surely outrun the former world No.1; however, the American would certainly give a tough time and would not give up without a nasty fight.
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