Roddick Defeats Andreev in Montreal
August 13, 2009 by Jeanne Dupuis
Filed under Tennis
American Andy Roddick took on Russia’s Igor Andreev at the Roger’s Cup yesterday and emerged with a 6-1, 7-6 (6) victory. I watched the match and Andreev seemed out of his depth during the first set and I was wondering if Roddick was going to be challenged at all when the Russian suddenly perked up. It became a lot more interesting but Roddick was able to pull out a win.
image: Zuma Press
I have to admit that, although I’ve always liked Roddick, I gained a lot of respect for him after he took on Roger Federer at Wimbledon last month and it seems that his amazing effort has been noticed by fans of the sport at both the All England Club and North America.
Roddick explained: “I don’t know if I’ve ever had this level of support in my career thus far. It definitely helped a lot as far the recovery process and getting excited about getting back out here again. Especially seeing the excitement it caused for tennis in the United States. It was THE story for a couple of days or a week, which is rare. There’s been a lot of good things that have come of it.”
He’s right. It’s been weeks and people are still talking about it (myself included, obviously). It really has renewed my appreciation for him as a player so, in some ways, maybe it’s a good thing that Rafael Nadal was unable to compete in London. I’m not saying I would wish any harm on a player but sometimes things happen to clear the path for something else. Nadal is back and in good form, Federer made history and Roddick will forever be linked to that amazing moment.
Roddick went on to say: “during my career I’ve been portrayed as every type of person — good, bad, ugly, rude, nice — and this is the first time it’s been presented in the light of a hard-working, everyday Joe type of tennis player trying to make good,” he said. “All the while the meat and potatoes of who I am have probably stayed the same. Maybe people have realized that it’s not easy and it does take work.”
Roddick has advanced to a third round where he will battle Fernando Verdasco of Spain.
