Serving Thunder

85 and counting, this is the number of consecutive service games held by Andy since the Davis Cup tie vs Belgium, although Taylor Dent must be wondering how he didn’t manage to take one of the many break points he held on the Roddick serve. Andy, while not at the top of his game, showed why he is number 3 in the world by refusing to give in and taking the match 6-4 6-7(2),7-5.

Dent , energized from his win over Sebastien Grosjean, took the game to Andy in the first set coping well with his big serve while serving big and volleying well himself. Andy held serve in a marathon 5th game in which Taylor Dent had 3 break-points. He then broke the Dent serve to lead 5-4 and followed this by serving out the first set to love.

Andy brought the heat to begin the second set. Dent, however, withstood the pressure as the two Americans slugged it out sending the set into the inevitable tie break. Andy played well but went down two mini breaks and Dent took the second set tie break 7-2.

Andy’s frustration was becoming visible as he had a discussion with umpire Norm Chryst on a change-over. As the match passed the 2 hour mark, Andy got it all together and played a love service game which he followed by breaking the Dent serve as Andy took the set 7-5 and the match.

Well done Andy! It was a tough match. In round three, Andy will play Dominik Hrbaty (SVK) (16.)

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