The second week at this year's Wimbledon, scheduled interesting and blockbuster fourth round matches. Of course, the top players are still the heavy favorite to advanced, but those who are struggling will surely be out of the tournament. As always, the tricky opponent cannot be counted out. As the draw is trimmed down and the event is nearing to its conclusion, anything can still happen.
Andy Roddick, the 2009 Wimbledon finalist, started his Wimbledon campaign strongly and looks like his chances for the title is within his reach. With his very convincing first round win over his compatriot Ram Rajeev, he established himself again as a serious contender for the 2010 Wimbledon title.
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| Andy Roddick 2009 Wimbledon Championships |
At the first glance of the draw, Roddick has a very smooth road to book a quarterfinal spot where the possible test will only be the beginning when he faced either Novak Djokovic or Lleyton Hewitt, who are also battling for a quarterfinal spot.
Roddick, whose draw composed of many dangerous tricky players, who would ever thought that a player ranked more than five times below him will stop his quest for Wimbledon title? None.
But that was the case, when Roddick was stunned by unseeded Taiwanese Lu in their five-set fourth round meeting 4-6|7-6(3)|7-6(4)|6-7(5)|9-7, to become the first Asian man ever to reach to a Grand Slam quarterfinal.
In fact, many tennis fans are touting Roddick that this year is his chance to capture the most coveted Grand Slam crown. Given his current form, many believe that this time he got an edge over Roger Federer.
How a great start ends unexpectedly?
Federer, the top seed and the defending champion, who has been vulnerable of late as shown in his first round match against Alejandro Falla of Colombia, who pushed him to five sets and almost pull an upset. Even though, he struggle he still able to get through. It doesn't end there. A Serbian qualifier Ilija Bozoljac made Federer work hard in their second round match and almost threaten by taking him to four sets. Not a good way to start a tournament for the champion but still found a way to advanced.
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| Roger Federer 2009 Wimbledon Championships |
After his third and fourth encounter against unseeded Frenchman Arnaud Clement and 2010 French Open semifinalist Jurgen Melzer, respectively, whom Federer both defeated in straight sets, it shows that he's on his way to another Wimbledon final again. Though, he must overcome the upcoming challenge to be given by No.12 seed Tomas Berdych in the quarterfinals and possibly No.3 seed Djokovic in the semifinals.
After the first two rounds have been played, many people are talking about the impossibility of Federer reaching another final and the possibility of Roddick's taking the crown. It seems like the ball rolls the other way around. With Federer still on his quest to seventh Wimbledon title, Roddick blew the another huge opportunity to win his first Wimbledon crown after finishing second three times, losing on all occasions to Federer.
When 2010 Wimbledon starts, a question "Will Federer win Wimbledon this year?" has been the center of discussion among tennis fans, but it seems like it shifted to the question "Will Roddick win another Grand Slam title?". Yes, Roddick will not go anywhere from here but his recent upset will be one of the interesting discussion.
Roddick, as one of the early favorite for the Wimbledon title, ended empty handed, as Federer's quest still keep going. There will be no repeat of their 2009 Wimbledon finals in the semifinals, that's for sure.
This article was originally published at Bleacher Report. For comments, read here.
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