[情報] Roddick loses in Davis Cup in Slovakia
Roddick loses in Davis Cup in Slovakia
By STEPHEN WADE, AP Sports Writer
September 19, 2003
BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AP) -- U.S. Open champion Andy Roddick lost to Dominik Hrbaty in four sets Friday, giving Slovakia a 1-0 lead over the United States in their World Group playoff in the Davis Cup.
Hrbaty dropped the first set but rallied to win 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4, putting the Americans in a hole in the best-of-five series as they try to remain in the top tier of Davis Cup.
Hrbaty sank to his knees after the victory. He tossed the ball high into the stands and then broke into tears as he circled the clay court draped in the red, white and blue Slovak flag.
Roddick had seven aces in the first set and dominated. But Hrbaty -- ranked only 60th to Roddick's No. 2 -- got back into the match with excellent returns. He also drove Roddick to the far corners of the slippery court, forcing the American into uncharacteristic unforced errors.
``When I started to return his service, that was the key,'' Hrbaty said. ``I hope we will show the Americans where the small nation of Slovakia is.''
Mardy Fish of the United States faced Karol Kucera in the second singles match, with doubles on Saturday and singles on Sunday.
The Americans, the most successful team in Davis Cup history, must defeat Slovakia to remain in the 16-team top group. A loss would relegate them to the American Zone in 2004, a big fall for a country that has won tennis' top team prize a record 31 times but not since 1995. The Americans last played in the second tier of Davis Cup in 1988.
Roddick took the first set in only 23 minutes. After a slow start, Roddick broke Hrbaty in the eighth game. Hrbaty found his way back in the second set, taking it 6-3. The Slovak, known as a streaky player, began hitting accurate groundstrokes as Roddick's game turned erratic.
Roddick managed only one ace in the second and 14 in the match. Hrbaty finished with seven.
Hrbaty kept Roddick in a funk in the third set, winning it in 33 minutes. The Slovak continued to return Roddick's powerful serves while drawing on excellent net play. Hrbaty broke Roddick twice in the deciding fourth set. But Roddick broke back once, with the Slovak needing five match points to finally close out the match.
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