Andy To Face Phau In SAP Quarterfinals

Two time SAP Open champion, Andy Roddick, is looking good as he is once again in
the quarter finals in San Jose. Standing between him and a place in the semi finals is Bjorn Phau of Germany.

Phau is three years Andy’s senior, but in his seven years on tour he has not enjoyed the same success as Andy. The German hit a career high ranking of 78 last July and is currently placed at 84. He has enjoyed a comfortable route through to the quarter finals defeating American qualifier, Brian Wilson and Frenchman, Cyril Saulnier.

So far this year Phau has won three matches on the main ATP circuit. Two weeks
ago he lost in the first round of Delray Beach to Guillermo Garcia Lopez, the Spaniard who Andy comfortably defeated in the first round here in San Jose. Andy has never played Bjorn Phau before in an ATP competition.

Here are the German’s stats courtesy of the ATP:

Birthdate: 4-Oct-79
Birthplace: Darmstadt, Germany
Residence: Weilerswist, Germany
Height: 5′9′’ (175 cm)
Weight: 154 lbs (70 kg)
Plays: Right-handed
Turned Pro: 1999
Career High INDESIT ATP Ranking - Singles: 78 (11/7/2005)
Career High Stanford ATP Doubles Ranking: 261 (1/30/2006)

Despite having a loose second set in his second round match, Andy was pleased with the way he turned it around. “He had momentum on his side at that point and I thought it would be a good time to try and change it at the beginning of the third set. At the start of the third, I was able to hit the ball harder and deeper, that was key for me.” Andy will no doubt be looking to take that decisive play into his quarter final encounter with Phau.

Andy’s serving was especially consistent and hard against Carlsen, his fastest clocked at 220 kilometers an hour. This was an aspect Andy was particularly pleased with and should be a strong weapon against Phau. “I served a lot better than I did in my first match. Overall, it was a pretty good match.”

Andy will face Phau this evening in San Jose in the first match of the night session with play beginning at 7pm local time (10pm Eastern).

The only television coverage for the quarterfinals is on The Tennis Channel:

The Tennis Channel
Friday Feb 17 Quarterfinals 12:30-4:30pm (Live) 3:30-7:30pm (Eastern)
Friday Feb 17 Quarterfinals 7:00pm (Live) 10:00pm (Eastern)

Stay tuned to AR.com for all the latest from San Jose. Go Andy!!