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Having dropped 7kg, Andy Roddick is playing like a tennis heavyweight once again. The No.7 seed and 2003 US Open champion advanced to his first grand slam semi-final in two years at the Australian Open on Tuesday when defending champion Novak Djokovic withdrew suffering cramp while trailing 6-7 (3-7) 6-4 6-2 2-1.
The heat had got to the Serbian by early in the third set, but it was no problem at all for the more mobile Roddick, in the best condition of his life under new coach Larry Stefanki.
“I noticed it a lot on the first (serve),” he said of the benefits of his trimmer physique.
“When they hit a return, I’m able to stabilise on that one, or at least get there a second quicker and at least neutralise that one.
“I’m not getting hurt on that ball as much, which helps.
“When I get going, I’m able to kind of move a little bit, and that’s nice also.”
The American paid tribute to Stefanki, who has signed a three-year deal to be his new coach, replacing Jimmy Connors.
“Getting in better shape was his impetus,” said Roddick.
“I think we have similar minds.
“We both like going to work and have a lot of the same interests.
“We’re kind of on par as far as our energy levels.
“We don’t like sitting around being bored.”
Roddick only dropped serve once in the match against Djokovic, whose previous encounter against Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis did not finish until after 2.30am on Monday morning.
Roddick knows plenty about late finishes, having being scheduled for prime-time action year-in and year-out as the major drawcard at his home grand slam.
“To be fair, it’s very hard and I’ve had to do it at the US Open probably more than anybody,” he said.
“That night of sleep is suspect, at best.
“It’s maybe three, four hours, and it limits what you can do the next day in practice.”
Djokovic had unsuccessfully requested that the clash with Roddick also be played in the night session, rather than in the heat of the day.
“I didn’t really have time to recover,” he said.
“There were really difficult circumstances and the conditions were extreme today.
“It did affect more on me than him, as you could see, but that was the situation and I just have to cope with it.”
Snapshot from day nine of the $22 million Australian Open at Melbourne Park:
PLAYER OF THE DAY: Vera Zvonareva – the Russian seventh seed stormed into the semi-finals with her fifth consecutive straight-sets victory, the 6-3 6-0 win over Marion Bartoli also featuring her fourth love set of the championships.
KEY MOMENT: Novak Djokovic’s retirement against Andy Roddick when the titleholder was trailing the American seventh seed 6-7 (5-7) 6-4 6-2 2-1 in his quarter-final.
STAT OF THE DAY: After sharing just one break point between them in the opening two sets, Roddick stamped his authority with four breaks from the Serb’s next six service games.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: “I’m 26 years old; what the hell else am I going to do with myself?” – Roddick when asked if his six-year grand slam title drought was what was keeping him in the sport.
TOURNAMENT SUMMARY: Two of the so-called Big Four men – Djokovic and Andy Murray – fail to make the semi-finals, while the women’s draw remains wide open with Serena Williams the only player in the draw with a grand slam title to her credit in the last five years.
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