Roddick Survives Thriller

(Picture from http://www.nbcsports.com/)

The word "Thriller" is used a lot in the sporting world but this afternoon's tennis match between Andy Roddick and Fernando Gonzalez was nothing but. Roddick and Gonzalez' match was as nerve wrecking and frustrating as playing golf on 90 degree afternoon in the middle of July, and every drive slices into the next holes fairway.

Now I love tennis. I played in high school (wasn't very good, but that is besides the point) and I love watching Roddick play. He gets in these moments where he works power and finesse to his advantage and you can't help but get caught in the amazement. This afternoon, it looked like Roddick had none of it. After winning the first set 6-3, Roddick hit a two set slump falling 3-6 and 4-6. Gonzalez was hitting shot after shot down the line for winners, and Roddick looked hurt/tired/frustrated/pissed. It looked as though Roddick would fall once again and his search for a Grand Slam title would continue (a drought that has been consistent since 2003). Gonzalez wanted this match to be a quick win so he could rest, and get ready for Marin Cilic in the quarterfinals. But as fast as Andy's serve, something happened. Roddick put together one of those moments of finesse and pure power.

Roddick is lucky he has one of the fastest serves in the business, because it kept in the match and was the back bone to his comeback. After looking down and out (and possibly bothered by the knee injury that kept him out of the end of last season) he fought back from behind. With the crowd completely in Gonzalez' corner, Roddick came out swinging and won two straight sets (one that went into a tie breaker). Gonzalez, who hit winner after winner for most of the match, looked tried the last set (probably because Roddick weathered the storm when he got hot, and came back stronger and harder when he thought the match was his). It was a back and forth heavyweight battle, a match that finally sparked the men's bracket at the Australian Open. Look out for Roddick in the later rounds. With his skills and tennis smarts, the Australian Open might be the tournament that changes his luck for the future (because he sure had it today). So here's to hoping we get to see another Roddick, Federer final.