Marcia and I started watching Andy Roddick’s first round match last night (seeded 4th). Funny how things can turn around so fast. He was up 5-2 in the first set, only 20 minutes in, looking like he was going to win in a route. But he ended up losing to the 68th ranked player in the world, Luxembourg’s Gilles Muller, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (8), 7-6 (1).
Just for the record, Marcia likes to root against Andy. I have slowly become a fan of his. Though it has been frustrating watching him play second fiddle to Federer for about three years now.
We watched the first two sets, and Roddick wasn’t playing all that bad. At one point Muller had over twice as many unforced errors. But it just wasn’t to be. Even Roddick’s big serve was being out performed by Muller’s. Amazing to see Roddick get knocked out so early.
Also, as Karen mentioned on my comments, Tim Henman, the 12th seed of the tourney is also gone. And I think his hopes of ever winning a Grand Slam with it. He lost to Spain’s Fernando Verdasco, 6-4, 6-2, 6-2. I have always rooted for Britain’s lovable loser. Sad to see him out early, too.
Juan Carlos Ferrero, the 20th seed, also lost his first round match. And Marat Safin, this years Australian Open champ and 5th seed of the US Open withdrew due to a knee injury. These early departures could possibly turn the US Open into the French, which has a habit of eating up the big names early.
August 31st, 2005 at 5:58 am
I was very shocked to see Roddick lose. It just goes to show, no matter how good you are, if you take any game lightly, you’ll be punished for it.
Oh well, at least Andy Murray is still in.