Flap out unbelievable (Eurosport)
Flap out unbelievable
By James Buddell
From Eurosport.com
In January, fans were glued to their seats, forgetting dinner reservations and
flights home to savour a piece of Grand Slam history. Nobody was budging from
the Rod Laver arena as Andy Roddick and Younes El Aynaoui battled like
gladiators. James Buddell reflects on his favourite match of 2003.
The epic five-set quarter-final match finished in the early hours of January
23rd, with Roddick winning 4-6, 7-6 (7-5), 4-6, 6-4, 21-19 and thus breaking
the record for games played in a major final set history.
It was a match to rival Hoad-Trabert (1953), Gonzales-Pasarell (1969), Rosewall
-Laver (1973), Borg-McEnroe (1980), Sampras-Courier(1995) and Ivanisevic-Rafter
(2001).
Tennis writers searching for superlatives ripped up their copy many times as
the Melbourne Park media centre remained packed long after strict deadlines
became insignificant.
The contest was about a 20-year-old wannabe star against a likeable 31-year-old
journeyman from Morocco.
Perhaps Lleyton Hewitt's comeback against Roger Federer in the Davis Cup semi-
final and Mark Philippoussis' s final effort against Juan Carlos Ferrero roused
the home support more, but this was one for all.
Many records were broken.
The longest final set in an Open-era Grand Slam (two hours 23 minutes), to the
most number of games in an Australian Open fifth set(40), to the highest number
of games in a match at the Open since tie-breaks were introduced (83).
With El Aynaoui's final forehand volley error, the Arab and the American met at
the net for a three-minute ovation, a handshake and an embrace.
In the end, nobody had lost really.
Jim Courier hailed this match as a turning point in the young American's career.
Many commentators agree.
Nine months later the Nebraskan celebrated a breakthrough Grand Slam victory at
the US Open and finished the year at No. 1.
Next month, Roddick will head to Melbourne alongside coach Brad Gilbert
realising that to reach the quarter-final stage is no longer enough.
He now knows he can go all the way.
But defending champion Andre Agassi and Switzerland's Roger Federer will surely
have something to say about that.
------
有關這場戰役的好文章好像怎麼寫都寫不完
Go Andy!!
--
"The canvas on the easel is empty.
He's got the paint in his hand and only time will tell."
-Brad Gilbert on how good Andy Roddick can become
--
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