US OPEN: Andy Wins Over Pless

Tonight Andy Roddick defeated Denmark’s Kristian Pless in straight sets, 6-3, 7-6(3), 6-3, to recieve the best birthday gift- a golden ticket to the next round. Andy came onto court with an extra bounce in his step, and even though he faced a break point and went into a tie break, Roddick sent 21 aces- including one straight game in the third- to face the winner of Fernando Verdasco vs. Thiago Alves in the next round.Andy started the match serving, and did not hestitate to let loose 2 aces in the first game to take a quick lead, 1-0. Even though Andy faced a break point on his next time serving, it was nothing he couldn’t handle, and closed out the game with a 130mph ace. Andy put the pressure on Pless throughout the first set, firing forehands, playing great defense, and moving the ball around to keep it up predictable. Andy’s much improved volleying skills earned him a break point, and a long return from Pless hit the green instead of the blue. A fist-pumping “Come on!” was heard from the American. As Andy was approaching the net in the next game to volley, Pless wailed the ball right at Andy’s head, and Andy ducked just in time. Though his next serve went into the net, the speed gun clocked it at 147mph showing just how unhappy he was by his opponents last shot. Andy then closed the game for a commanding 4-1 lead. It was evident that Pless was going for Andy’s backhand side, but only a few times did an error occur, and each held serve to close the set 6-3.“I was getting a lot of action on my serves,” Andy noted in his post-match press conference. “I also felt like I was getting good depth on my returns, and returns almost all of his second serves.”The second set was all about serving, including when Andy served four straight aces to take the lead 5-4. Andy was talking to himself throughout the entire set, pumping himself up. It obviously worked as Andy took an immediate 3-0 in the tiebreak. Andy won a “volley war” in the tie break, sent a few aces sailing, and had some sweet drop shots too in the tie break 7-3.The third set seemed as if Andy would never get the break, but he got the one that counted for the win at 5-4 when Pless double-faulted on Ad. Roddick. The power shots were pulled out in this set, smacking the ball around as if it were as light a ping pong ball. Pless didn’t count himself out yet though, as he was starting to return Andy’s serves with confidence and putting pressure on Andy. Andy responded by holding strong and forcing the issue and the break back on Pless, and Pless felt it when he double faulted away the game. As Andy stepped up to the line to begin serving for the set, the crowd grew louder and louder, supporting their favorite player to close it out on his racquet. Securing a 40-0, triple match point lead, Pless returned a serving into the net and the Birthday Boy won 6-3, 7-6(3), 6-3 in one hour and 31 minutes.

“I never miss celebrating (my birthday), even if it’s a few weeks late.” With Andy’s next match being a few days away, we sure hope he had some good treats with family and friends before the clock struck twelve. Stay tuned for Andy’s Birthday Book presentation and everything going on at the US Open. Go Andy!