Denis Istomin trounces Andy Roddick to qualify for the semis – SAP Open 2012
Former world number 1 Andy Roddick suffered an disappointing exit, as he was beaten by Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan in straight sets 2-6, 4-6 in the quarterfinals at the SAP Open in San Jose on Friday. The second seed, Roddick,
lost a one-sided battle for semi-final spot in an hour and 16 minutes.
Istomin stole Roddick’s serve twice in the first five games of the opening set to grab a 4-1 lead. The Uzbek never looked back and claimed the opener 6-2.
Ranked 61st in the world, Istomin smacked 73 percent of the first serves compared to just 54 from his more experienced opponent. The Uzbek kept on showing aggression on Roddick’s second serves, capturing
nine of the 12 points on them.
Istomin needed to break the American only once in the second set, capitalising on it and winning 6-4.
Roddick, who is famous for hitting one of the fastest serves in the history of tennis, was outperformed by his Uzbek opponent in most segments of the game. Istomin snatched an amazing 92 percent of the first delivery points
and the American managed to win just 64.
Three-time former champion, Roddick, faced an injury scare in his previous match. Playing with a tapped ankle, the American came back after losing the second set to beat compatriot Denis Kudla 7-6(5), 6-7(5), 6-4.
The hobbling Roddick said, during the post match press conference, "The best thing I did was just exist out there. When you first go down, you don't know how it's going to feel until you take those first couple of steps.
Unfortunately, it's become all too familiar recently. I didn't want to stop. I'm really sick of doing that."
Roddick is being continuously troubled by injuries lately. The American was forced to retire due to a hamstring injury from his second round match against another former world number 1 Lleyton Hewitt at the Australian Open.
In a much anticipated encounter, Roddick decided to quit when he was trailing 6-3, 3-6, 4-6 against the Australian.
Istomin is drawn to take on the winner of the match between Steve Darcis of Belgium and Frenchman Julien Benneteau in the semi-final.
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