Men’s Draw Day Nine Preview – US Open 2012
Defending champion Novak Djokovic and the American icon, Andy Roddick, are the main highlight of day nine at the Flushing Meadows 2012, last of the four Grand Slam events taking place in Queens in New York City, United States.
The Defending champion, Djokovic will face off 18th seeded Stanislas Wawrinka in the last match of the morning session at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The Serb breezed past France’s Julien Benneteau in straight sets in one hour and 37 minutes.
Djokovic commented in a post match press conference:
"I have been playing really well at the US Open the past five years. My goal was to really try to recover... and come out strong from the start. That's what I've done. I feel great on the court."
The Swiss number two also recorded an impressive victory over the 14th seed, Alexandr Dolgopolov, to set up this meeting. He smashed 15 aces and cashed in four out of 23 break chances to carve out the victory in one hour and 50 minutes.
Seeded second in this event, Djokovic is coming off grabbing a title at the Rogers Cup and make a title-round appearance at the Cincinnati Masters (lost to Roger Federer in the final). The 25-year-old Djokovic is expected to crush the Swiss in straight sets.
In the night session at Arthur Ashe Stadium, the former world number one Andy Roddick will display his exceptional skills against the seventh seed, Juan Martin Del Potro. The Argentinean number one is leading 3-1 in the head-to-head series against the veteran. However, Roddick has conquered Del Potro in their last match up at the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships in the previous season.
Playing his last tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Roddick has recently triumphed the Atlanta Open (trashed Gilles Muller and John Isner to grab the trophy). He battled past Italy’s Fabio Fognini in a four-set thriller to progress. The American veteran lost his serve four times but capitalised on five out of eight break chances to seal the deal.
Del Potro on the other side crashed out to Radek Stepanek in the opening round at the Rogers Cup. However, he secured a final four berth at the Western and Southern Open in Cincinnati before entering this major hard court event. The Argentine eased past his compatriot, Leonardo Mayer, in straight sets to reach this spot.
The Argentinean, who recently captured silver medal at the London Olympics, reflected about his next battle:
"I know this is special, this day, for him, but I'm doing my job. I will try to be focused on my match and doing my things, my shots. The match is going to be very tough. But, anyway, if I play in high level, will be tough for both players. The crowd loves Andy here and they have respect me, so it will be a fantastic show to the players and to the fans also."
The world number eight, Del Potro may be a higher seed but Roddick is playing at his home soil and is in spectacular run of form. He is expected to overpower the Argentine in a four-set thriller.
The world number five, David Ferrer is also schedule to play on another court. He will take on the 13th seed, Richard Gasquet, in the opening match at the Louis Armstrong Stadium.
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