Roger Federer bows out to Andy Roddick in round three of the Sony Ericsson Open 2012: Tennis Special
In an epic battle between two former world number one stars, Roger Federer crashed out to Andy Roddick in brutal three sets at the Sony Ericsson Open 2012 on Monday night. He suffered a 6-7(4), 6-1, 4-6 shock against the local star in the third round at
this ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) World Tour Masters 1000 event taking place in Miami, Florida.
The Swiss Maestro made a spectacular reply in the second set as he pulled out the equaliser with a breadstick. However, he lost his serve once in the final set and not only exited from the tournament with disappointment but also dented his chance of reclaiming
the top spot at the South African Airways ATP World Tour Rankings.
"I feel like I lost to a former No. 1, not a guy ranked 30-something,'' the Swiss number one was quoted in a court side interview after the match."That ranking isn't real. … He's still really good. I hope [you media] give him more credit than he's getting
at the moment. He's a great champion and you should enjoy him while you have him. It was a great night for American tennis and a tough night for me. I guess, but it was tough for me. It was a close match that didn't go my way,''
Both contenders displayed their best tennis in the opening set. Federer sought two break chances but squandered it. However, he fired six aces and smoothly held entire serves without facing any barrier.
The set went to the tie-breaker where the Swiss was underplayed by Roddick, ultimately enduring a 6-7(4) defeat.
The world number three, Federer, went berserk in the following set. After the American kept his serve in the opening game, the Swiss veteran blasted powerful forehands from his arsenal of skills to go on a six-game killing spree. He was never threatened
with any breakpoint and capitalised on three out of four break opportunities to jolt down an assuring 6-1 victory.
The match was balanced at a knife edge but Roddick flashed his old self and earned the coveted break in the third game, subsequently jumping to a 3-1 lead. The American then swiped in remaining serves after brushing off all four breakpoints he encountered
and pocketed the decider with a 6-4 win.
As a result, the local star not only avenged his loss at the Swiss Indoors last season but also lowered the trail in the FedEx ATP Head 2 Head series by 3-21 against Federer. Roddick previously triumphed over the Swiss Ace in 2008 at this hard court tournament.
Currently ranked 34th in the ATP rankings, Roddick will next confront the 21st seed, Juan Monaco, who upset Gael Monfils to set-up this duel. The Argentinean was a set down when he hit back and sealed the deal with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 score
line.
The 16-time Grand Slam champion was coming off from conquering the BNP Paribas Open, a Masters 1000 event held in Indian Wells. He is now looking forward to rebound in the clay court season.
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