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Torch is Passed as Roddick Wins US Openby Matthew Cronin
<I>Sunday, September 7, 2003</I>
<P>The torch has been passed, and it is in very good hands.
With American legends Pete Sampras, Jim Courier and Michael Chang retired and Andre Agassi fading into the sunset, 21-year-old Andy Roddick lived up to his hype and put on a sterling performance, taking out No. 1-ranked Juan Carlos Ferrero, 6-3, 7-6 (2), 6-3, to win his first US Open title.
"No more, 'What’s it like to be the future of American tennis crap.' No more," Roddick said enthusiastically. "I don’t think you could have written a script any better, starting it off with Pete’s retirement, Chang is gone. It was just amazing – too good."
In winning his first Grand Slam on American soil, Roddick played a super-aggressive, mentally sound match, out-stroking the quick Ferrero from the backcourt, admirably controlling net and numbing his foe with a blowtorch-serving exhibition.
His coach, Brad Gilbert, gave his stead his marching orders before he went out on Ashe. "Be relaxed, play your game and take it to him," Gilbert told him. "You weigh 200 pounds, and he’s at 160. Impose your will on him."
Not since Sampras ruled these courts has a player served so well in a final, as Roddick bombed 23 aces, won 89 percent of his first-serve points and never had his serve broken. Ferrero, one of the best returners in the game, couldn’t convert on any of his three break points as Roddick slammed huge serves at him. Once a jumping jellybean who had trouble controlling his temper, Roddick coolly ruled the match with an iron glove.
"Once I’m on the court, I’m calm, focused," he said. "I’m baffled by the calm I felt out there. I almost didn’t feel anything."
The 21-year-old Roddick showed no nerves during the final, playing amazingly well in the first set, fighting off a break point at 1-1 with a 135-mph service winner. He then broke the Spaniard to 3-1 with a huge forehand down the line. The lanky Floridian then won the first set with a 139-mph heater to the body, a 141-mph ace down the tee and a 131-mph ace out wide.
Ferrero was super-competitive in the second set, serving extremely well himself and winning a number of hard-fought points from the ground. But he was unable to get a good sniff on Roddick’s serve, not only because of the American's extremely high first-serve percentage, but because Roddick followed a number of his second serves to net and punched away volleys. Roddick also more than matched Ferrero from the forehand side and zoned on his backhand side, staying in cross-court rallies and even tossing in a few backhand down-the-line winners.
"I've come a long way and improved in every aspect," Roddick said.
In five out of his six service games in the second set, Roddick held with aces. The match was determined in the tiebreaker, where on the first point, Ferrero leaped to stab a backhand volley and landed flat on his side. Roddick then passed him with a forehand. Ferrero next hit a gorgeous running forehand pass to even the tiebreak at 1-1, and then Roddick committed a forehand error to 2-1.
But Ferrero then mentally collapsed, committing a slew of errors from the ground. Roddick took the breaker with a beautiful slice backhand pass down the line, a forehand crosscourt winner. The U.S. crowd roared, and Roddick became one of their own.
"I’m playing for everybody there," he said. "They’re living and dying each point with me."
Ferrero fought hard in the third set but again was frozen by Roddick's serves. Ferrero fought off three break points to even the set at 3-3 and then held two break points in the next game, but Roddick gunned a 137-mph service winner, and Ferrero framed yet another forehand.
Roddick, who will go to No. 2 in the world when the rankings are released on Monday, then broke Ferrero when the Spaniard double faulted. He held to win the contest in brilliant fashion with three straight aces, collapsed on his knees and immediately began to shed tears.
A few moments later, he climbed up to the Friends' Box and shared long hugs with his parents Jerry and Blanche, his brothers, John and Lawrence, his coach, Brad Gilbert, and his actress girlfriend, Mandy Moore.
"I just won the US Open, I just won the US Open," a delirious Roddick told his mother.
A more overwhelmed Blanche replied, "You just won the US Open, you just won the US Open."
Roddick may not be in Sampras and Agassi's league yet, but he accomplished what Courier and Chang were unable to do – win America’s Grand Slam. That’s called seizing the mantle and the trophy.
"I can’t imagine my name and US Open champion together," he said. "It’s more than I could ever dream of."</P> |
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楼主: 幽忧国米
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狗仔卡
发表于 2004-7-30 12:44:00
