In the most eagerly anticipated first-round match of the 2003 US Open, Andy Roddick, the 4th seed and many observers' pick to win it all, blasted service winners and belted ferocious forehands to turn back a tough Tim Henman in straight sets, 6-3, 7-6 (7-2), 6-3.
Roddick rode into the US Open as the hottest player on the men's tour, having achieved a stellar 20-1 record on the North American hardcourts this summer. The only blemish was a tight semifinal loss to none other than Henman at the Legg Mason in July. The draw that pitted the popular, big-serving American against the polite, chip-charging Brit -- arguably the best unseeded man in the draw -- had dominated pre-tournament buzz. What might be a quarterfinal or semi at any other major was instead Tuesday's first-round headliner.
In addition to Henman's distinction as the only man to conquer Roddick this summer, what had many fans salivating in anticipation was the contrast in styles. Everyone in the house knew Henman would rush the net relentlessly and try to attack Roddick's weaker wing, the backhand. And Roddick would try to keep Henman on his heels, scrambling to return his rocket serves and laser-like forehands. That's pretty much how it played out on a breezy night under the lights at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Henman is coming back from the shoulder operation he got last November. He was ranked no. 4 in the world prior to the surgery.
The British no. 1 used his elegant slice to keep the ball away from Roddick's big gun, and either blocked back returns or charged the net with stabbing chips. But the American broke serve twice and ran away with the first set, 6-3.
Roddick struggled in the second set, which turned out to be, if not exquisitely played, highly entertaining as it see-sawed back and forth. Roddick played a brilliant scrambling point, punctuated by a blistering backhand pass, to break Henman at 3-3 and energize the partisan crowd.
But Andy lost his serve in the next game, making consecutive unforced errors. Henman, though, handed the advantage right back to his opponent. Roddick hit three screaming forehand return winners to get back to 5-5. In the tiebreak, Roddick unleashed the best of his game, playing aggressively and serving with authority.
In the third set, Roddick, having seized the momentum, didn't let go. With two breaks of serve, he moved on with a straight-set victory.
On the court where just 24 hours earlier Pete Sampras was honored as the greatest player of the Open era, Andy Roddick strode onto the tournament's biggest stage with high expectations to fill the void left by the departure of the all-time Grand Slam champion. Sampras built his game around a precise, punishing serve and a forehand that could instantly change the whole nature of a point, and he redefined how those weapons could be employed to win big matches.
Roddick's game, superficially, is constructed around those same elements: a thumping serve and a wickedly offensive forehand. But the comparisons end there. Sampras had a deft, knifing volley and keen court sense. Roddick's a committed baseliner uncomfortable at the net and still picking up tips on court savvy. He's dangerous, but certainly hasn't yet proved he can decimate the draw of a Grand Slam.
Though he advanced on Sampras's court, young Roddick didn't quite look ready to be crowned king, though this tricky opening test was evidence that he is definitely maturing.
Roddick now meets Ivan Ljubicic, the big-hitting Croatian, in Round 2.
RODDICK RELIEVED
The scoreline hardly justified his fears but fourth seed Andy Roddick acknowledged his U.S. Open hopes hung by a thread as he walked out to face Tim Henman on Tuesday.
Seldom does a seed face such an examination so early in a major tournament and Roddick's animated reaction after his two hours six minutes dissection of the former world number four spoke volumes.
"I went into this match knowing good and well I could be going home afterwards," the 20-year-old told reporters. "And I knew it would be so disappointing if I was playing so well and just came here and lost in the first round."
Henman is the only player to have defeated Roddick in the north American hardcourt season, on his way to the Washington title.
That apart, Roddick has been in supreme form, and was described by Henman as the best player in the world at the moment.
"Henman was the only dark spot of my summer and it was pretty coincidental to meet each other in the first round," said Roddick.
"I'm sure neither one of us was thrilled with (the draw)...so I was taking this match very, very seriously."
Alongside top seed Andre Agassi, Roddick is carrying the hopes of a nation at the last grand slam of the season.
He turns 21 on Saturday and has already said he is ready to "come of age" by winning his first grand slam come the final on September 7.
But on Tuesday Roddick was reeling in those expectations.
"I don't think about (winning) in terms of age," he said.
"I've said my day will come as far as grand slams go, and I believe that. I'm not going to rush myself just because I have a 21st birthday on Saturday."