Razor-sharp Roddick ends Murray's Wimbledon dream
Andy Murray's dreams of winning Wimbledon end in semi-final defeat
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By James Christie. |  |
Friday, 03, Jul 2009 06:40
Andy Roddick rolled back the years to win back-to-back tiebreaks and end Andy Murray's dream of becoming the first Briton for 71 years to reach the Wimbledon final.
Murray had hoped to match the feat of Bunny Austin in 1938 but the wrong periods of history repeated themselves as the young Scot followed in the footsteps of Sue Barker and Tim Henman by losing a winnable semi-final.
Few experts had predicted the 4-6 6-4 6-7 6-7 defeat and it was with an element of surprise that Roddick carved out a break point and a set point at 5-4 with a deft backhand drop shot.
A long rally followed and when a tired-looking Murray netted he found himself a set down, having only managed to get 45 per cent of his first serves in.
It took a comfort break and some aggressive passing shots to relieve the pressure and give him a much-needed break of serve at the start of the second set.
Roddick, whose shirt design makes it look as if he is wearing mourner's arm bands, was in no mood to roll over and play dead as a second serve ace soon showed.
But in open play it was a different matter and after he sent a backhand wide and could only scuff a bodyline Murray serve it was 6-4 and one-set apiece.
Saving three break points in the third set's opening game seemed to galvanise the American as he broke for a 3-1 lead.
And a lethargic-looking Murray appeared to reserve most of his third-set energy for arguing with the referee about whether he'd sworn.
It was a dangerous tactic - yet it was Roddick who was face down in the grass as the Scot roused himself just in time to break back to 4-5 and then hang on for the tiebreak.
With the non-believers in the crowd now fully behind him, Murray was to hold the first set point at 6-5 but could not get to a dinked Roddick shot in time to finish matters.
And when he failed to clear the tape with a forehand on the second of Roddick's set points at 7-8 he was two sets to one behind.
Both players had some difficult holds to negotiate in the fourth set - Murray managing the only break point in game seven of the fourth set.
Again a tiebreak was called for and when Murray made an unforced error from the Royal Box end the Scot fell 3-1 behind.
He gamely fought back from 2-5 to 4-5 and saved a set point at 4-6 to get back on serve - and the long rally that followed should have played into his hands.
But Roddick - whose best chance of winning was supposed to be keeping rallies short - moved the younger player around the court at will to seal an unlikely victory.
Most of the crowd stayed seated as Roddick raised his arms in triumph - but, in truth, he deserved the glory. Murraymania might be a little more subdued this time next year.
James Christie