Roddick recovers from slow start
Source: Agencies |
June 24, 2010, Thursday
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ANDY Roddick finally woke up in time to prevent an unexpected second-round exit at Wimbledon yesterday when he came through 4-6, 6-4, 6-1, 7-6 against dangerous Frenchman Michael Llodra.
Roddick, runner-up last year, dropped serve to love in the fifth game of the opening set against a player comfortable on grass but raised his game to dominate the next two sets.
Llodra regrouped in the fourth set and pushed the American into a tiebreak but Roddick forged 6-2 ahead and clinched victory when he punched away a forehand into a gaping court.
Roddick celebrated by kicking a ball into the crowd. He will face Russian Teimuraz Gabashvili or German 29th seed Philipp Kohlschreiber in the third round.
Also, Justine Henin waded her way through a sea of spectators before getting her first glimpse of the All England Club's sunken Court 2, which was unveiled 12 months ago when the former world No. 1 was still savoring retired life.
Once on court, Henin appeared to notice none of the cries of 'Welcome back Justine' or 'We love you Justine' as she dispatched German Kristina Barrois 6-3, 7-5 to reach round three on another day of glorious sunshine in south west London.
Less than an hour later, fellow Belgian Kim Clijsters was also a step closer to setting up their much anticipated fourth-round showdown as she hurried past Croatian Karolina Sprem 6-3, 6-2.
Ecstatic reaction
It was a breeze for Rafael Nadal against Japan's Kei Nishikori in the first round on Tuesday but it was the Spaniard's ecstatic reaction that told the real story.
After rifling a smash deep into the other side of Center Court to complete a 6-2, 6-4, 6-4 win he ripped off his white headband, thumped the net tape with his yellow racket, clenched his fists and looked skywards with his eyes closed.
"I can tell you, I'm very happy how I played today," Nadal, whose aching knees prevented him from being able to defend his title last year, told reporters.
"It's always special to play on this court. I'm happy to come back to this tournament and play in probably the most beautiful and emblematic court in the world."
British fourth seed Andy Murray is the only home player left after another demoralizing day for British tennis but the Scot's play during a 7-5, 6-1, 6-2 defeat of Czech Jan Hajek suggested "Andy-monium" could break out on Henman Hill next week.
Robin Soderling, who could face Nadal in the last eight, dropped just seven games against Robby Ginepri.
Eleven Spanish men were in singles action on Tuesday but apart from Nadal, David Ferrer and Marcel Granollers, the rest all perished. Fernando Verdasco became the highest seed to fall in the men's draw when the No. 8 lost to Italy's Fabio Fognini.
Roddick, runner-up last year, dropped serve to love in the fifth game of the opening set against a player comfortable on grass but raised his game to dominate the next two sets.
Llodra regrouped in the fourth set and pushed the American into a tiebreak but Roddick forged 6-2 ahead and clinched victory when he punched away a forehand into a gaping court.
Roddick celebrated by kicking a ball into the crowd. He will face Russian Teimuraz Gabashvili or German 29th seed Philipp Kohlschreiber in the third round.
Also, Justine Henin waded her way through a sea of spectators before getting her first glimpse of the All England Club's sunken Court 2, which was unveiled 12 months ago when the former world No. 1 was still savoring retired life.
Once on court, Henin appeared to notice none of the cries of 'Welcome back Justine' or 'We love you Justine' as she dispatched German Kristina Barrois 6-3, 7-5 to reach round three on another day of glorious sunshine in south west London.
Less than an hour later, fellow Belgian Kim Clijsters was also a step closer to setting up their much anticipated fourth-round showdown as she hurried past Croatian Karolina Sprem 6-3, 6-2.
Ecstatic reaction
It was a breeze for Rafael Nadal against Japan's Kei Nishikori in the first round on Tuesday but it was the Spaniard's ecstatic reaction that told the real story.
After rifling a smash deep into the other side of Center Court to complete a 6-2, 6-4, 6-4 win he ripped off his white headband, thumped the net tape with his yellow racket, clenched his fists and looked skywards with his eyes closed.
"I can tell you, I'm very happy how I played today," Nadal, whose aching knees prevented him from being able to defend his title last year, told reporters.
"It's always special to play on this court. I'm happy to come back to this tournament and play in probably the most beautiful and emblematic court in the world."
British fourth seed Andy Murray is the only home player left after another demoralizing day for British tennis but the Scot's play during a 7-5, 6-1, 6-2 defeat of Czech Jan Hajek suggested "Andy-monium" could break out on Henman Hill next week.
Robin Soderling, who could face Nadal in the last eight, dropped just seven games against Robby Ginepri.
Eleven Spanish men were in singles action on Tuesday but apart from Nadal, David Ferrer and Marcel Granollers, the rest all perished. Fernando Verdasco became the highest seed to fall in the men's draw when the No. 8 lost to Italy's Fabio Fognini.
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