Andy Roddick exits, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal going strong in Wimbledon 2010.
After the epic final last year, Roger Federer had promised a distraught Andy Roddick that his time will come soon and he will get his hands around the Wimbledon trophy. Yet, it seems that Roddick’s time has not arrived even in 2010 as the American was eliminated from the tournament in another pulsating encounter.
It is a real pity that the most fiercely fought grand slam in recent years has been overshadowed by the ongoing football World Cup in South Africa and many sporting fans have missed out on the tennis treat on offer at the All England Tennis Club in the heart of London.
Roddick came across a stubborn Taiwanese opponent Lu Yen-Hsun who created the biggest upset of the tournament when he edged out the fifth seed in another epic five setter with a score line of 4-6, 7-6, 7-6, 6-7 and 9-7 in the fourth round in Wimbledon 2010.
The American who is renowned for his booming serves won the first set against the world number 82 in only 39 minutes courtesy of a single break.
Lu fought back tenaciously to take the next two sets, as he showed great determination and single-mindedness against his powerful opponent who was found wanting in the second and third sets.
Roddick remained under pressure throughout the final set as Lu played some breadth taking tennis devoid of any pressure as he was not the one expected to book a place in the last eight of the competition.
The rising star from Taiwan pocketed the final set with a ripping forehand winner that brought an end to the fight of the three time finalist, after an incredible four hours and 36 minutes.
Lu kissed his fists and raised his arms in triumph after another spellbinder at court two. The overawed winner was close to tears as he spoke about his father's recent death and was overtook by emotions as he described his feeling after pulling off one of the biggest wins of his tennis career.
“In that moment I just sit and tell myself I done it. I done it for my father, I done it for myself also, I done it for all the people that supported me”, he said.
On the other hand the Spanish tennis sensation and world number one Rafael Nadal was back at his aggressive best cruising past Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu 6-4, 6-2 and 6-2 on his way to the quarterfinals.
Serbian third seed Novak Djokovic went past former champion, Australia’s Lleyton Hewitt to reach the quarter-finals with a hard fought 7-5, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 win.
Swiss maestro Roger Federer, who’s seeking a record equalling seventh title, was also back to his brilliant best, bulldozing Austrian Jurgen Melzer with a score of 6-3, 6-2 and 6-3 to book his place in the last eight.
Federer’s next opponent will be the gritty 12th seed Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic.
After the match, he touched on the electronic line-call judgment which has created a real furore in the football World Cup in South Africa with many contentious decisions proving to be a dampener in the tournament.
“We have, what is it, electronic line calling even though we don't need it. We all know we don't, but we do have it. They should have it, and they don't. So it's a choice the guys have to make at the top, you know”, he said.
Andy Murray also hit top form to book his place in the last eight by dismantling American Sam Querrey in straight sets with a final score was 7-5, 6-3 and 6-4.
The line-up for the quarter-finals is a star studded one, and with the likes of Federer, Nadal, Andy Murray and Djokovic still in the running. Tennis fans are in for another special treat in this truly special year of grass court tennis.
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