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| 26 Jun 2003 | |
| Day Three: Duel in the Sun |
Quite some time ago there was a movie called "Cannonball Run".
The second round match at Wimbledon between Andy Roddick and Greg Rusedski could very aptly have borrowed that title for the match they played on Centre Court, but really what was laid out on the grass was more akin to the "Shootout at the OK Corral".
This was powerhouse serving at its best and it was a case of bring your own protective gear because the Club was certainly not providing any.
Roddick and Rusedski had met in the same round at Wimbledon last year and Rusedski won, this time the American turned the tables in a high quality match that ended in controversy.
Neither player had broken serve over the first two sets and Roddick took both on the tiebreak, but then Rusedski broke serve and opened up a 52 lead in the third. However, with Roddick serving to stay in the set a person in the crowd called "out" on a Roddick groundstroke. Rusedski played the ball back but turned away, believing he had won the point because the ball had been called out by a line judge, while a confused Roddick then played a half-hearted shot into the now open court.
The chair umpire called the point to Roddick, making it 40-15, and Roddick went on to hold. Rusedski then unleashed a tirade of expletives at the changeover that was picked up in startling clatity by the court microphones; BBC TV commentators were forced to apologise on his behalf.
The British player, who was in a solid position with that set, self
destructed and lost the match 76 76 75.
"I think it’s emotions and just wanting it so badly," said Rusedski.
"He played the better tennis on the big points and I have to give him credit for that. He’s a great player. You know, your emotions can sometimes take control of you because you want bit so badly, you’re fighting out there, you’re trying everything you possibly can.
“I could have served for it and still been in a fourth set. What you can’t control, you just got to let go sometimes. Unfortunately, I couldn’t do that today."
For Roddick that result was incredibly satisfying and he said it’s a match like this one that helps a player "go deep in a Grand Slam".
"That wasn’t a second round match out there," said Roddick.
"He’s playing well enough to go far into the second week. I think we both knew that going in that this was pretty big."
Roddick said he was trying to ignore what was going on with Rusedski. He was trying to just focus on what had to be done instead of getting
concerned with the confrontation. It didn’t involve him so there was no use becoming interested.
If Roddick was impressive with the way he handled things, then the same has to be said about Roger Federer who played a very controlled match to beat the Austrian Stefan Koubek 75 61 61. If Roddick and Federer continue to produce the form they have shown so far, then they could very well meet in the semifinals.
The Swiss player said he was getting used to playing on Centre Court again during the first set, having been out on court two for his first round match. Federer said what delighted him the most with this performance was that he returned to the court after a brief rain interruption (the first of this Wimbledon) and played more aggressively.
Venus Williams disposed of Katarina Srebotnik 64 61 and explained that she is feeling good about her game after the disappointment of Paris. Williams shows such little emotion on the court but it’s obvious that she is fighting for every point and remaining focused.
"I understood how she would come out and play me," said Williams.
"I’ve played her before and I’ve seen her play other top players also. So I knew she’d come out and give it her all, go for broke, so I had to be ready forthat."
Todd Martin, unseeded this year but twice a semifinalist at Wimbledon,
upset the 17th seed Gustavo Kuerten 76 64 64. The American said he felt
great with his own service games and when asked what he expects out of
himself, he said: "I expect to walk out on the court on Friday and
hopefully equip myself as well as I have so far.
"My level’s better than when I’ve dome best here. I think when I’m sharp, I can compete with anybody, especially here. Just a matter of making sure I’m sharp on the day."
Lleyton Hewitt returned to Centre Court but this time he took his seat in the player’s box and supported girlfriend Kim Clijsters during her 61 63 disposal of Virginie Razzano. Lindsay Davenport had a similar score line against Rita Grande, but the women’s 9th and 12th seeds, Daniela Hantuchova and Maggie Maleeva respectively have been upset.
On court two, the "Graveyard Court", Hantuchova was in a winning position against Shinobu Asagoe but lost 06 64 1210 while Maleeva was beaten by Paola Suarez 63 in the final set.
The men’s 12th seed Paradorn Srichaphan, who was also on court two, played another five setter. In the first round he led two sets to love before winning in five , this time against Olivier Mutis he trailed two sets to love and even faced two match points before winning 46 16 76 75 75.
In other results the men’s 15th and 16th seeds, Arnaud Clement and Mikhail Youzhny both lost but last year’s quarterfinalist Sjeng Schalken won in five sets over Nicolas Lapentti.
If you want to follow the action as it happens, with live scores and results, then please visit the Official Website at www.wimbledon.org.
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