Relieved Roddick survives Melzer test

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:37

The 26th seed was a familiar foe for Roddick, who had beaten him in eight previous encounters. But Melzer pushed the American almost to the limit this time, with the sixth seed eventually prevailing 7-6 (7/2) 7-6 (7/2) 4-6 6-3 after almost three hours on court.

“Considering the way he served in the first two sets, I was glad to get through with a two-set lead,” sixth-seeded Roddick said. “I was having trouble getting a read on it. He was hitting all of his spots.

“I’ve played him a lot of times. That’s the best he’s served against me.”

Roddick has dropped a set in each of his three matches at Wimbledon so far this year, and the American was almost left to rue his missed chances after converting just two of nine break points.

“Like the other two matches, I wish I could have converted on a chance in the third set,” he explained.

“But I probably hit the ball my best in the fourth again. Obviously, you don’t want to get broken, but I wasn’t completely super upset. To come back was a good thing.”

Roddick has had his fair share of success at Wimbledon over the years, reaching the final in 2004 and 2005 but losing both to Roger Federer.

He is considered one of the most experienced grass-court players on the court, and is hopeful having a few Wimbledon tournaments under his belt will help him in the second week.

“I think grass definitely takes some getting used to,” said the 26-year-old, who will face Tomas Berdych in the next round. “Even Pete (Sampras) in his first couple of years admitted he was a little uncomfortable on it. But if you’ve played on it for years and years and years and years, I think the adjustment period will be probably a little bit quicker.”

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