Can anyone forget the horror that was the US Open quarterfinal: Djokovic versus Roddick. Before the match even began both were skeptical of his opponent's skills and motives. Andy jokingly mentioned Djokovic's countless injuries and illnesses and Novak upset the New York crowd by attacking Roddick's comments. Well, yesterday's match should have made for a different story as Australia is oceans away from the States, but things were oddly similar. Both men picked up right where they left off in New York, each thrashing the ball in place of actually taking direct jabs at the other. Neither had an opportunity to break but Djokovic was able to pull ahead during the tiebreak to clinch the first set. And then the match really started... or at least started to end.
The temperature on Rod Laver Arena soared to a staggering 120° Fahrenheit and both Andy and Novak were drenched in their own sweat. Officials chose not to close the roof and the men played on. Actually, Roddick played on -- as if this were routine. The lad on the other side of the net was in far worse shape. After the first game of the second set Djokovic appeared exceedingly weary. He took every possible moment between serves to capture a few extra seconds of heaven in the shade, tried to finish off points after the second shot and even attempted to own the net. He was promptly broken and no sooner called for some medical attention.
The trainers took about 6 minutes to give Nole, what seemed to be, a very nice rub down after which he walked out as sluggish as if he had played for hours in a tight deadlock of a match. Though the interruption seemed to have affected Andy too as he threw in three straight double faults in the immediately following game. Regardless, it was all over from there. Roddick had the choice to finish off points quickly and put Djokovic out of his misery or to dance with the one who brought him. He danced. Andy took the next two sets handily since Novak wasn't going to attempt to run down balls that were not within a four-foot striking zone. The inevitable came early in the fourth set when Djokovic retired and Roddick gained a date with his old rival Roger (a match not to be missed!).
Even though Djokovic will speak to comments about this match in reference to his ailment(s) and the tournament schedule, this was Andy's match. A perfectly fit Novak would never have been able to keep up with the bullet-like serves and surprisingly gorgeous backhand slice that Roddick was using. This was his night to lose; certainly not the defending champ's to win.
The temperature on Rod Laver Arena soared to a staggering 120° Fahrenheit and both Andy and Novak were drenched in their own sweat. Officials chose not to close the roof and the men played on. Actually, Roddick played on -- as if this were routine. The lad on the other side of the net was in far worse shape. After the first game of the second set Djokovic appeared exceedingly weary. He took every possible moment between serves to capture a few extra seconds of heaven in the shade, tried to finish off points after the second shot and even attempted to own the net. He was promptly broken and no sooner called for some medical attention.
The trainers took about 6 minutes to give Nole, what seemed to be, a very nice rub down after which he walked out as sluggish as if he had played for hours in a tight deadlock of a match. Though the interruption seemed to have affected Andy too as he threw in three straight double faults in the immediately following game. Regardless, it was all over from there. Roddick had the choice to finish off points quickly and put Djokovic out of his misery or to dance with the one who brought him. He danced. Andy took the next two sets handily since Novak wasn't going to attempt to run down balls that were not within a four-foot striking zone. The inevitable came early in the fourth set when Djokovic retired and Roddick gained a date with his old rival Roger (a match not to be missed!).
Even though Djokovic will speak to comments about this match in reference to his ailment(s) and the tournament schedule, this was Andy's match. A perfectly fit Novak would never have been able to keep up with the bullet-like serves and surprisingly gorgeous backhand slice that Roddick was using. This was his night to lose; certainly not the defending champ's to win.
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