Federer Booted by Berdych, Roddick Retired at US Open Wednesday
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On a wet day of stop-and-start-and-stop tennis at the US Open, Andy Roddick was officially retired, world No. 1 Roger Federer was sent home, and Andy Murray was put in a position to capitalize on his newfound confidence.
ADHEREL
Roddick fell 6-7(1), 7-6(4), 6-2, 6-4 to fellow former US Open champ Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina, ending a career.
“For the first time in my career, I’m not sure what to say, said Roddick, struggling with his emotions as his wife, model and actress Brooklyn Decker, struggled to mask the flow of tears in the player’s box. “It’s been a road, a lot of ups, a lot of downs, a lot of great moments. I’ve appreciated your support along the way. I know I certainly haven’t made it easy for you at times, but I really do appreciate it and love you guys with all my heart. Hopefully I’ll come back to this place someday and see all of you again.”
On Wednesday the men played catch-up in the schedule with sparsely-attended matches seemingly everywhere as holes opened up in the forecast at Flushing Meadows.
World No. 2 Novak Djokovic advanced when No. 18 seed Stan Wawrinka retired with illness in the third set. In the quarterfinals Djokovic will face del Potro.
Another Serb was a winner in No. 8 seed Janko Tipsarevic, who won 6-3, 7-6(5), 6-2 over No. 19 Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany. Tipsarevic will next face No. 4 David Ferrer of Spain in the quarters.
No. 3 Andy Murray recovered from a first-set loss to overwhelm No. 12 seed Marin Cilic 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-2, 6-0.
“I was more mad at myself,” Murray said about his slow start. “I felt confident at the end of the match.”
In the night match, top-seeded Roger Federer was bumped from the tournament by No. 6 seed Tomas Berdych 7-6(1), 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.
In doubles quarterfinals action the Bryans advanced over the French team of Junlien Benneteau/Nicolas Mahut in two tiebreaks, and the wildcard Harrison brothers lost 6-2, 6-3 to No. 9 seeds Qureshi/Rojer.
In women’s play Maria Sharapova benefited from the rain.
The Russian, down 0-4 to Marion Bartoli before a rain delay, stormed back to win 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, in their quarterfinal match started on Tuesday.
“I think that rain break gave me a few hours to think about things,” Sharapova said. “I came out so flat yesterday and she was on fire. She is so tough. I am so happy to win this one.”
With the win Sharapova sets up an all-screamer all-turn-off-the-volume against world No. 1 and fellow birth-giving shrieker Victoria Azarenka.
In the battle of the Italians for a semifinal spot, Sara Errani defeated her doubles partner Roberta Vinci 6-2, 6-4.
“A quarterfinal with your best friend, of course, is difficult,” Errani said. “We know each other very well. We played together many times. So was also strange to see her on the other side of the net.”
Errani will next face Serena Williams in a rematch of this year’s French Open final. Williams topped fellow former No. 1 Ana Ivanovic 6-1, 6-3.
“I’m just happy to be in the semis,” Serena said. “This is really cool.”
On court Thursday will be (8) Janko Tipsarevic vs. (4) David Ferrer, John McEnroe/Adam Sandler vs. Jim Courier/Kevin James, and (7) Juan Martin Del Potro vs. (2) Novak Djokovic.
TENNIS-X NEWS, NOTES, QUOTES AND BARBS
With every “UhhhhUHHHHHHHH!” Victoria Azarenka hit, like her or not, we find ourselves rooting for her to lose quickly so that godawful noise stops. Maria too…Nikolay Davydenko has boarded the women’s-tennis-is-not-equal train: “Why girls play best of three sets, and we should play best of five sets, and have the same prize money?” the Russian said. “Why are we playing five-set matches? We need to play best of three in Grand Slams. Everybody will support, [even Roger] Federer. For Federer, it’s easy to win in one hour, two sets. No need to run (for) a third set.”…Bob Bryan told the Wall Street Journal that during the mixed doubles competition at the US Open they use “women’s balls” which are smaller and faster: “It flies a lot more, and you can shape it more.”…After the US Open, Sara Errani will be atop the WTA individual doubles ranking, only the second Italian after Flavia Pennetta…US Open advertiser Miller 64’s new slogan is “Returning to fitness with beer as my witness” — awesome…The first Roger Federer Lindt chocolates commercial with the airport luggage screening girls was clever; the current one with the hotel check-in girls is stupid…John Isner has twin older brothers? How did tennis miss out on them?…Rafael Nadal has reportedly been sign-up to play the USTA’s BNP Paribas Showdown exhibition at Madison Square Garden in March 2013, as will receive $1.5 million to show. Last year’s event featured Roger Federer vs. Andy Roddick. Nadal’s opponent is unknown, but the women’s portion of the event will feature Serena Williams vs. world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka, according to Bloomberg News…U.S. Davis Cup captain Jim Courier on John Isner losing to Phillip Kohlschreiber at the US Open: “I think fatigue makes cowards of us all and causes bad choices. I’m not saying John played cowardly tennis, but I think his shot selection has been slightly too erratic. I think when you have a tired mind and tired legs, you make poor choices.” — Then what the hell does the “coward” comment mean?…The U.S. vs. Spain Davis Cup semifinal after the US Open on clay in Spain will be John Isner and Sam Querrey against David Ferrer and Nicolas Almagro in singles…Victoria Azarenka will hold onto the No. 1 ranking come Monday no matter what happens in week #2 of the US Open.
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