Roddick's Seven Wonders
Roddick's Seven Wonders
Eurosport - December 31, 2003
Very few guessed Andy Roddick was capable of winning a Grand Slam title this
year let yet alone ascend to the top of the world tree. Eurosport.com sent
James Buddell delving into his notebook to pinpoint the main matches and
turning points in the American's historic year.
22nd January 2003 - Australian Open, quater-final (Hard)
Roddick defeated Younes El Aynaoui (MAR) 4-6 7-6(5) 4-6 6-4 21-19
It wasn't Charlie Pasarell-Pancho Gonzalez ?la Wimbledon 1969, but this five-
hour marathon finishing just before 1am local time,signalled Roddick's progress
to his first career Grand Slam semi-final.
In the first major of the year the Nebraskan was ranked tenth in the world,
with a seeding of nine. But his career was stagnating having never showed the
spark that's sets champions apart.
When the match finished both players lapped up the applause. Roddick had
sustained a wrist injury in the longest final set in major championship
history.
Barely 24-hours later however, Roddick was 'flat' succumbing to German Rainer
Schuettler in four sets.
A great chance had gone begging.
But nobody knew this was just the start of a fabulous year.
27th May 2003 - French Open, 1st Round (Clay)
Sargis Sargisian (ARM) defeated Roddick 6-7(3) 6-1 6-2 6-4
The red stuff is never going to be Roddick's favourite surface. And memories of
a quick exit in 2002 were shadowed by victory in St Poelten the week before.
But journeyman Sargis Sargsian, a plague to top-ranked stars didn't fear
Roddick's growing reputation.
After the defeat Roddick rather aptly exclaimed: "It's weird going from feeling
like you're playing pretty well to not really knowing what you're doing."
The sixth seed headed home and made the decision that would turn his season on
his head. Frenchman Tarik Benhabiles, his coach of almost four years departed,
only to be replaced two weeks later by one of the greats.
14th June 2003 - The Queen's Club Championship, semi-final (Grass)
Roddick defeated Andre Agassi (USA) 6-1 6-7(5) 7-6(6)
Brad Gilbert, former coach to Andre Agassi was drafted in for the start of the
grass-court season, on the condition that Roddick wear his cap properly.
Ten years on from the publication of Gilbert's autobiographical coaching manuel
"Winning Ugly" a change in his pupils game was evident.
Big-servers Greg Rusedski and fellow countryman Taylor Dent fell by the wayside
before Roddick faced the Las Vegan.
Gilbert's inside knowledge of eight-time Slam champ Agassi paid dividends as
Roddick scored his first victory over the veteran in three sets.
A newfound confidence shined through and the 20-year-old went on to beat
Sebastien Grosjean of France in the final, providing ideal preparation for the
"Big W".
4th July 2003 - Wimbledon, semi-final (Grass)
Roger Federer (SUI) defeated Roddick 7-6(6) 6-3 6-3
Commentators sang Roddick's praises from the off and the clamour grew louder
with his safe progress through the opening rounds.
A second round win over a temperamental Rusedski sealed his tag of favourite,
but nobody told Roger Federer, the silent assassin who glided through the draw
and into a last four match-up.
Both were seeking their first Grand Slam title. Federer of Switzerland produced
a master class wowing the knowledgeable Centre Court crowd with his blend of
exquisite touch and power.
Federer would go on to take the crown beating Australian Mark Philippoussis in
the final, while Roddick was left to rue another missed opportunity.
However the hard-court prelude to the U.S. Open was imminent.
Roddick and Gilbert were beginning to lick their lips.
Cincinnati Masters Series, final (Hard)
Roddick defeated Mardy Fish (USA) 4-6 7-6(3) 7-6(4)
Gilbert had been tinkering. The cracks that had formed in Roddick's backhand
had been plastered over and a greater consistency was felt on his record-equall
ing 149mph service action.
The Nebraskan was in his element on the north-American hard-courts, proving
almost unbeatable leading into Flushing Meadow.
Tim Henman had beaten him in the Washington final at the beginning of the month
but that proved the only blot in a 21-match streak with wins in Indianapolis
and the Canadian Masters the highlight.
A week after his Canadian victory best friend Mardy Fish stood in Roddick's way
of a Masters Series double.
Fish started slowly, but as the match progressed the 21-year-old Minnesota-born
right-hander looked to be one likely to take the $400,000 winners cheque.
But Fish's nerves in the third set were capitalised upon by Roddick who guts
out victory eight days before the final Slam of the year was due to start.
Despite being nowhere near his best after his overwhelming schedule, Roddick
dug out a gutsy victory and installed himself as the overwhelming favourite at
Flushing Meadows.
6th September 2003 - U.S. Open, semi-final (Hard)
Roddick defeated David Nalbandian (ARG) 6-7(4) 3-6 7-6(7) 6-1 6-3
The experts rightly picked the powerful right-hander for the title. But in
front of his home crowd, pressure can do funny things. You only have to ask
Henman that.
Sweeping through the draw Roddick came up against David Nalbandian - a player
he had beaten at the Canadian Masters final in Montreal 6-1 6-3 weeks before -
in the semi-finals.
Nalbandian, the 2002 Wimbledon finalist, found himself match point up in the
third set tie-break, as the crowds started to wane.
The new hope for American tennis was down and seemingly out.
But Roddick fired down an ace and moments later started a remarkable turnaround
for a five-set victory.
The nerves and pressure had left him.
And in the final, newly crowned world number one Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain
proved no match, only to stutter in the blazing heat.
Roddick had gone 'big-time'.
15th November 2003 - ATP Master Cup, Houston, semi-final (Hard)
Roger Federer (SUI) defeated Roddick 7-6(2) 6-2
Roddick came to Houston for the final showdown of the year with one objective:
to clinch the year-end world number one rank.
With Agassi's round-robin victory over Spanish rival Juan Carlos Ferrero on
Wednesday, the right-hander hadn't needed lift a racket to complete the job.
Gilbert's six-month tenure had reaped rich rewards indeed.
A bonus would have come in beating nemesis Federer in the semi-finals, but the
Swiss star chopped and stretched his way to a fifth victory in six meetings.
After the match Roddick explained: "He was reading the game a lot faster than
me. The guy has more natural flair and talent for the game than most than
anybody, really."
In becoming the sixth American and 13th player to attain the world high in ATP
ranking history Roddick knows he's there to be shot at.
He'll also know Federer is on the prowl. Roll on 2004.
--
"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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※ 編輯: carillon 來自: 61.231.99.219 (01/01 20:59)
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