U.S. Open 2010: Analyzing the “Andy’s”
Tennis fans may possibly find America’s Andy Roddick more appealing in terms of appearance, but is “A-Rod” statistically better than Britain’s Andy Murray?
Ranked no. 1 in all of Britain and no. 4 in the world, Andrew Murray hails from Glasgow, Scotland. Unfortunately though, the five-time ATP Masters finalist and four-time winner has yet to have won a “Grand Slam” title. The sportsman clinched the world no. 2 status only to be titled as the highest-ranked British male player since fellow countryman Fred Perry. Murray has made appearances in five U.S. Open tournaments in 2005 through 2009.
On the contrary, America’s Andrew Stephan Roddick has remained at the world no. 1 position owing to his 2003 U.S. Open Men’s singles win. Andy has qualified for four grand slam finals in his professional career till date. The athlete also holds the world record for producing the fastest serve in the world. Additionally, Roddick has been part of ten U.S. Open Men’s singles finals so far.
Murray made his U.S. Open debut back in the year 2005. The Brit was sadly sent home after losing 2-6, 6-7, 6-2, 7-6 and a disappointing 0 games to 6 to Frenchman Arnaud Clément. Nevertheless, he evidently improved in the 2006 U.S. Open upon making it to the fourth round. Russia’s Nikolay Davydenko was responsible for the 1-6, 7-5, 3-6, 0-6 elimination.
The years 2005 and 2006 proved both good and bad for Roddick. The sportsman was incapable of making it past the first round in the U.S. Open Men’s single’s category in 2005. Luxembourg’s Giles Muller defeated A-Rod 7-6, 7-6 and 7-6. However, in 2006, Andy made it to the U.S. Open Men’s singles final. Dismally, the player was crushed by Swiss Maestro Roger Federer. The “Fed Express” took down the American, 6-2, 4-6, 7-5, 6-1.
While South Korea’s Hyung-Taik Lee gave Andy Murray a tough time in the 2007 U.S. Open, Roddick faced a straight set defeat in the Men’s singles quarter finals. Murray lost 3-6, 3-6 in the first two sets. The third set went in the Britt’s favour as he won 6-2. Sadly enough, Lee took the fourth set 7-5 and put an end to the game. Roddick’s U.S. Open statistics a year later were not too different. The humorous Serbian, Novak Djokovic bagged a win against A-Rod in the quarterfinals. Roddick was down two sets, 6-2, and 6-3 right before he rose in the third. However, his 6-3 win did not do the trick as Nole took the fourth and final set 7 games to 6.
Andy Murray made his way up in the 2008 U.S. Open. The Scott made it to the final and went up against the defending champion, Roger Federer. The defensive counter puncher was annihilated 6-2, 7-5 and ultimately 6-2 by the Swiss terror. Roger bagged his fifth U.S. Open Men’s singles title with a straight set win.
The 2009 U.S. Open did not bring much luck to either of the Andy’s. Roddick could not make it farther than the third round. Fellow countryman, John Isner sent his companion home with a three set to two win. Andy lost 6-7, 3-6 in the first two sets. He however, worked his way up to take the next two sets 6-3 and 7-5 by turning the tables on Isner. The duel went on until Isner bagged the last set 7-6, to proceed in the tournament.
Croatia’s Marin Cilic finished Murray off in the fourth round of the 2009 U.S. Open Men’s singles category. Embarrassing as it was, Murray lost all three sets. Cilic cruised through to the quarter finals with his 7-5, 6-2, and 6-2 win against Andy.
Conclusively, both Roddick and Murray could potentially end up doing very well as far as the 2010 U.S. Open is concerned. The American and the Scotsman have both played U.S. Open finals. Nevertheless, Roddick has the upper hand as he took the 2003 U.S. Open Men’s singles title. In addition, Roddick and Murray have been playing the U.S. Open long enough and are expected to make it big in this years’ competition.
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