Category Archives: London

>In the second round of play in Group A’s round robin Tomas Berdych beat And Roddick 7-5, 6-3.

Berdych came out like a different player, not overwhelmed by the nerves that had gotten the better of him the other day against Novak Djokovic.

The first set saw some brilliant serving from both players but Berdych struggled at the net and Roddick was rewarded with two set points at 5-4. Berdych managed to use his forehand to dig himself back to deuce. Some big serving and a lone great volley got the Czech back on serve at 5-5.

After the match Roddick seemed to feel this was the turning point in the match. “The set points, the first return I hit well. I came under it, hit a really good forehand. He kind of took a chance a little bit. He hadn’t gone forehand on a second serve. He went there on both of them. Obviously I wasn’t looking forehand on either one. In retrospect, I should have been.”

Roddick showed his superior net skills, trying to change things up, but was passed by brilliant running down the line backhand. With two game point in hand Roddick produced one double fault and then was beaten by an inch perfect cross court backhand that looked like it was going to sail long. Roddick then paid the price for serving only 2 of 8 first serves in the game and was broken by a hooked forehand return.

The anticipation skills of Roddick were on display but his replies didn’t make enough of a difference as Berdych started to feel more confident and worked the angles of the court with his deadly shot making ability. Berdych’s level of play changed the momentum of the game from Roddick being the more dominant, to the American being in big trouble.

The difference between the two became that Berdych was winning the big points, the break points and Roddick was just watching them sail passed. The same thing happened against Nadal. The Spaniard walked away with the match but Roddick won more points throughout the course of the game – just not the right ones.

Roddick started venting his frustration as he started to miss some shots and Berdych started hitting harder. The neon advertising lights behind Berdych, interestingly from Lacoste who actually sponsor the American, flashed and then were turned off, distracting Andy and only serving to fan the flames of his frustration.

When Berdych broke in that game for a 3-2 lead, Roddick broke his racket against his foot for which he was warned. Roddick turned to the umpire and said “It’s my racket it doesn’t affect anyone else… If I break my racket on my foot what the hell does it matter to you?”

Roddick later joked with the media that “I was angry with myself and there wasn’t anybody else to talk to at that moment.”

Roddick was up and pacing the baseline long before time was called, clearly letting his frustration get the better of him. The more annoyed Roddick became the more confident Berdych became, even displaying some great touch at the net while improving his first serve percentage.

A small ray of hope opened up in the eight game after a double fault from Berdych but it was quickly snuffed out to the frustration of Andy. Roddick continued to mutter to himself as Berdych smiled when another winner skimmed off the line. Berdych produced winner after winner and before long had double match point, only needing one.

Berdych will now face Rafa Nadal while Andy Roddick will face Novak Djokovic.


“I don’t think he came into the match with a lot of confidence. Being able to get through that definitely raised his confidence level. I’ve beaten him three times this year. I have a pretty good idea what to do. Now, if you don’t execute it, it makes most game plans look stupid.” – Andy Roddick