Andy Roddick marches on to the quarter-finals of the Atlanta Championships. July 22, 2010 © GEM Tennis

Andy Roddick: First Day Back to Work

It certainly wasn’t easy for world #9 Andy Roddick in his first match at the Atlanta Championships. Roddick needed three tough and grueling sets in 100 degree plus temperatures on court. The scoreline ended at 6-1, 6-7(1), 6-3 against American Rajeev Ram. When asked about the sizzling temperatures Roddick responded with this:

“Sure, I was actually just talking to Rajeev and I think we got it at different parts. He said he felt it a little right there in the first set, almost a shock to the system. I was feeling it in the second set a little bit and then he said he felt it a little bit in the third. I think it goes in waves, especially since I haven’t played too much. I played a couple of matches last week, but they were both at night … I’ve felt better during tennis matches thats for sure.”

Ram hung tough throughout the match with his big serve, but it was Roddick who clearly had the edge in that department. Like John Isner last night, the match was more a function of Roddick surviving to get to the next round in which he did. Roddick also was noticeably limping due to a problem with in his left foot. Afterwards Roddick explained that the injury was something he could work with, “Its something I’ve had before. It’s manageable. A lot of times it happens the first time you’re in the heat for awhile.” He went on to say that he felt that the problem may be nerve related. Either way Roddick next takes on Belgian Xavier Malisse in the night session tomorrow.

- Parsa Samii, GEM Tennis (parsa@gemtennis.com)