(Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Andy Roddick beat World #2 Rafael Nadal 7-6 (5), 6-2 at the Dubai Duty Free Championships and announced that 8-time Grand Slam champion Jimmy Connors is no longer his coach. 2008 Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic beat Igor Andreev for the right to face Roddick in the semifinal. Andy Murray (who started the tournament by upsetting World #1 Roger Federer in the first round 6-7(6) 6-3 6-4) lost 7-5, 6-4 to Nikolay Davydenko who will face Feliciano Lopez in the other semi-final.
Craig Hickman has more details and commentary on Federer's statements to the press after his second consecutive loss of the year.
UPDATE: Roddick defeated Djokovic in the semi-finals, in straight sets: 7-6(5), 6-3. This is the first time the American has defeated the World #3 and World #2 in the same tournament.
How sweet it is to see Andy finding his groove again, and, that he took out Nadal, which is always good for me, no matter who does it, but, to see him handle Nole, so easily in that second set is totally encouraging. I wonder how this will help him down the road now that he is not with Jimmy. I would still like him to get back with Tarik, but, I think he is now with Monfils, who, I have to wonder if he will ever live up to his potential.
ReplyDeleteGood week A-rod, now, take the whole thing!
Roger? I was kind of surprised by his bitter tone, but, he has to realize, the ATP isn't like the WTA, on any given day, the men will beat you, no matter how good you are. Maybe it time he slowed down the glamour side of life and gets a coach and focused again, and, break Pete's records.