U.S. Open 2010: Is Andy (Andrew Stephen Roddick) merely ‘Eye candy?’
America’s 27 year old heart throb, Andrew Stephen Roddick is noted to leave his female fans spellbound with his captivating looks. Though, with only one grand slam title to his name, what will he ‘additionally’ have to offer this year?
Known for serving at the speed of light, Roddick has made ten appearances in the U.S. Open singles category. The sportsman started playing tennis on a professional level as a teenager. However, he made his debut at the U.S. Open back in the year 2000 on a wild card entry. Andy lost 6 games to 3 in the first set to opponent, Albert Costa from Spain. He did however; take the second set 7-6 after winning a tie breaker. Despite losing in the second set, Costa came back to win the third set 6-1 and then the fourth set 6 games to 4. Even though the player did not make it past the first round in the previous year, he took part in the 2001 U.S. Open. Andy not only qualified in the first round in 2001, but also advanced to the quarter finals. Upon being opposed by Australia’s Lleyton Hewitt, Roddick was sent home after losing three sets to two.
Also referred to as “A-Rod”; the athlete was featured on a television show called “Sabrina, the teenage witch” as a guest star. Apart from also being interviewed by host Craig Kilborn on his late night television show in the same year, Roddick played at the U.S. Open yet again. Dismally, like last year, he was taken out by the legendary Pete Sampras. Fellow countryman Pete Sampras defeated Andy 6-3, 6-2 and ultimately 6 games to 4 in straight sets.
2003 was a major year, not only for Roddick himself, but also for the United States of America. The notably short tempered athlete made it to the 2003 U.S. Open Men’s singles final. This was the first ever grand slam final played by Andy and what a memorable one it was. The player was encountered by Argentina’s David Nalbandian in the semifinals. A-Rod came up in the last three sets after losing the first two sets 7-6 and 6-3. After dismissing Nalbandian with a three set to two lead, Roddick cruised through to the finals. Andy was up against Spain’s Juan Carlos Ferrero in the 2003 U.S. Open Men’s singles final. The Reebok endorsed sportsman with spiky hair annihilated the Spaniard by bagging a straight set win. Andy took the first set 6-3 and went on to win the second tiebreaker set 7-6. Ferrero was finally finished off in the third set with a comfortable 6 game to 3 win. With the exception of the sportsman being the youngest American to win a grand slam, this was also Andy’s first ever grand slam title. Roddick was also the first American to win a U.S. Open Men’s singles title after Andre Agassi in 1999. The prestigious win also gave him the no.1 ranking in the World at that point in time.
The man to have produced the fastest ever serve, Andy Roddick, still holds on to his 155 mph (249.5 km/h) record. In the year 2003, the player was publicized on a variety of television shows. He made appearances on “Late night show with David Letterman” and was interviewed by Conan O’Brian on his show. Roddick was also given the honor of being the second ever professional tennis player to have hosted “Saturday Night Live” on the 8th of November in the same year.
Andy went on to play all 6 of the yearly U.S. Open tournaments held after 2003. However, apart from qualifying for the 2006 U.S. Open Men’s singles final, his performances failed to come up to par. Roddick faced defeat at the hands of the Swiss “Terror” Roger Federer upon losing 2-6, 6-4, 5-7 and 1-6 in the last set. As disappointing as it was for his fans, the athlete only made it to the quarterfinals in the 2007 and 2008 U.S. Open. Roddick was eliminated by America’s John Robert Isner in a three set to two defeat in round three of the 2009 U.S. Open. However, singer Michael Tolcher still chose to feature Andy in one of his music videos despite the fact that he performed horribly in 2009. He also made an appearance in a “This is SportsCenter” ad with sportscaster, Stuart Scott.
Optimistically, one would hope that the serve-guru will top his own “Fastest ever serve in professional tennis” record this year at the U.S. Open. His fans probably have high expectations from him as far as his performance is concerned. Considering the fact that Roddick has been playing the U.S. Open every year for the past 10 years, he probably knows his way around the court. Nevertheless, one can affirm that at the least, the ridiculously good-looking American will mesmerize the audience and make the girls swoon, if not perform well this year.
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