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The Serbian showed absolutely no signs of any ailments throughout the opening set as he shockingly upset Andy three times to take the lead 6-2. Djokovic wasn’t intimidated by Andy’s huge serve and was able to block back the massive weapon to get into the baseline rallies. It was clearly frustrating for Andy as the rallies continued and it was his shot that sailed slightly long or clipped the net. Andy tried to rally mentally and change the pace of play but Djokovic seemed to have an answer for every shot. One set down, the American hopeful looked to change the momentum and make it a longer night on Arthur Ashe.

In the second set, Djokovic held his opening serve and Andy found himself 0-30 down but rallied behind the support of the crowd to battle for 1-1. The two traded holds as the second set marched on, 2-2. In the cool night conditions, the ball speed is noticeably slower, favoring the Serb’s chance against Andy’s power. But never one for excuses Andy kept the firepower strong as the pair traded holds for 3-3. At 3-4, Andy again found himself down two break points an unfortunate groundstroke into the net gave Djokovic the chance to serve out the second set an hour into the match. At 30-30, Andy battled for a break point but Djokovic pushed the American farther back in the court and served out the second set 6-2, 6-3.

Never down and out, Andy channeled his frustrations on the court and fought resiliently in the third set, breaking the Serb in his second service game. Adding a few needed miles per hour on his already blistering serve, Andy brought the crowd to their feet as he catapulted to a 4-1 lead. At 5-2, Roddick rallied for another break point to clinch the second set but Djokovic stormed the net to stay in the game. Andy’s opportunity game moments later when he convincingly served out the third set 6-3.

The packed house at Arthur Ashe Stadium cheered on their 2003 Champion as the match headed into the fourth. Andy hung tough and at 3 all made his move to earn three break points with some very impressive backhands down the line. Djokovic saved the first by rushing the net, and the second with a forehand winner and the third on Andy’s unforced error. Roddick battled to earn another and a perfect backhand winner down the line gave him the break and the lead in the fourth set 4-3. With a proud fist pump Andy walked backwards to the chair as he stared into his player’s box. At 5-4 with the opportunity to serve out the set, Andy hit two consecutive double faults to give Djokovic the break point and the Serb sealed it with a flawless return to level the set 5-5. The two stubbornly battled to a tiebreaker.

The crowd roared as the tiebreaker started. The two fought brilliantly at the baseline but Djokovic secured the first mini break. Andy fought brilliantly and a well placed backhand earned him the break back for 4-5. And fired a 142 mph serve to level the tie-break at 5-5. In the moments which make professional athletes professional athletes, Andy found himself facing a match point when his slice shot landed short into the net. Djokovic fired a blistering serve down the line and with a return that sailed long, Andy left Arthur Ashe stadium to cheers of 20 thousand strong that know he will be back again next year!

Recap Source: AndyRoddick.com

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After being welcomed back to the jungle for Round4, Andy’s bpx and the “Rod Squad� fan club watched him break Gonzo’s first serve when he double faulted. Andy went on to serve steady and break the silver medalist again by simply stand his ground at net to lead 5-2. Twenty five minutes later, Andy held and took the set, 6-2.

The second set kicked off with Andy’s kick serve, but the Chilean was determined to fight back. Though he was whipping forehand cross-court, Andy found himself to three break points; one at 2-1, his second at 4-3, and his final on set point at 5-4. The 11th seed fought off two out of three, but the crowd was behind our Davis Cup champion all the way on set point. Andy proved why he is just that and nailed a cross-court backhand to prevail victorious after 35 minutes, 6-4.

Defeated and discouraged, Gonzalez stpped up to the baseline for one last chance to back in the match. Andy, however, has plans to send him packing and revealed it by breaking the 28-year-old’s opening service game of the third set. On Andy’s racquet at 3-1, Gonzalez saw his first and obly break point come and go in the blink of an eye as did his next service game. The Texas stepped up to the baseline leading 5-1 and torpeod his way to claim the “W� in impressive form, 6-2, 6-4, 6-1.

Recap Source: AndyRoddick.com

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Andy sailed through the first set, breaking Seppi at 1-0 and again at 5-2 to seal the first set 6-2. Andy looked confident in his first day match of the Open, only dropping 5 points in the opening set on his serve and hitting over 80% of his that dominant weapon.

In the second set Andy proved his game is more than a blistering serve and demonstrated some crafty net play. At 2-1, the unusual happened when the crowd cheered as a cloud briefly covered the intense sun. Seppi proved far more comfortable in the second set but Andy was looking for a quick day at the office and pushed the Italian to deuce points early on. At 3-3 Andy was on a roll with 15 straight service points in the set, but Seppi found his footing and continued to rally as the two headed to 4-4.

The ninth game saw the first time Seppi challenged Andy on serve but at deuce, the American fired a 140mph serve followed by another massive serve for 5-4. As the two continued to battle Andy fired his 8th ad 9th aces to take a 6-5 lead. Two net cords in Andy’s favor helped give him set point, but Andy missed a backhand to send the game back to deuce. Again, Andy aggressively rushed the net to earn another set point and this time he prevailed after a long baseline rally for a two set lead 6-2, 7-5. Read more… »

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Andy knew it was going to be a tough match tonight, stating to the press that Gulbis is “streaky� and that he’ll have to wait until Gulbis takes mental break to pounce on him, and that is just what Andy did.

Gulbis came out swinging and broke Andy’s first service game. Gulbis had killer offensive drop shots and serves and great defensive reflexes both at the net and the baseline, which allowed him to hold and take the first set to Andy’s utter dismay, and his smashed Babolat Pure Drive’s too, 3-6.

Frazzled and waiting for the chance to attack, Andy fought the entire second set, but couldn’t convert a break point until it was absolutely necessary- on set point at 6-5. Andy capitalized and celebrated with both arms in the air to the crowd to even the score and get back in the match,7-5.

“The clock struck twelve and I started playing like a 26-year-old,� Andy noted in his on-court commentary post-match. As he continued a year older and an hour wiser, he kept up the momentum intimidating the up-and-comer and broke his serve two times in third set to pull away at 6-2, up 2 sets to 1.

The fourth set played out like the second, going all of the way to the last points. Though Andy faced a break point, he earned one back as not only a break or set point, but a match point at 6-5. Though Gulbis came up with another stellar cross-court forehand, it was that same shot that he pushed through a little too hard with Advantage Roddick that sealed the deal for the number one American.

Recap: AndyRoddick.com

A quick note from us here at the site to wish Andy a very Happy 26th Birthday! What better present than a win into the third round of the US Open eh? Stay tuned for photos from Andy’s match yesterday!

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With a packed house of 23,000+ in attendance, both red, white, and blue patriotic players took to center stage – Arthur Ashe Stadium- for a 9:30pm start. Andy bullied the ball tonight right off Santoro’s racquet and broke his opening service game. At 1-0, Andy was serving for the game and a 147 ace down the T guaranteed its hold to the server. The Frenchman got on board the game after at 2-1. From baseline-to-baseline rallies to tricky volleys, both players added magic to tonight’s match, though Andy’s firepower- especially his cross-court passing shots- was too much to handle. Break point #2 came around and our man in head-to-toe black Lacoste clinched it. At 4-1, with the lead sealed for the set, both players held their games to end the 26 minute set at 6-2.

Warmed up and up a set, Andy pulled a few yellow bullets out of his black cap, turned them into feathers, and dropped them right onto Santoro’s side, breaking the Frenchman’s opening service game yet again. At 4-2, the second set started looking like the first as Andy broke the 35-year-old veteran for the fourth time after he sent a rally long. The number one American went on to hold, take the set 6-2, and lead two sets to love.

Deja vu three-fold began as Andy sent soaring returns back off Santoro’s serves, and Andy’s third opening opportunity to break came, this time with double break points, and landed right into his back pocket with the other two. Now, stop- rewind to first set- repeat, and that’s how Andy closed out the third set games, took the final set, and the match. Piling 15 aces, 41 winners to 14 unforced errors, and a 147 ace up in 87 minutes of play earned Andy his 6-2, 6-2, 6-2 victory over one of tennis’ true entertainers.

Recap: AndyRoddick.com

According to the official US Open website, Andy is scheduled to play Fabrice Santoro (FRA) for a 7PM start (USA time).

Tennis Magazine - July 2008 Scans

Tennis Magazine - September 2008 Scans

The September issue features a four page spread all about Andy and the year he has had. It features live action digitals and some photos from his childhood in there as well as being a great read for any fan. Click the links to be taken to the specific sets. I’ll be adding Andy’s spread in ‘Outside’ magazine (July 2008) to the site shortly!