Shanghai: Roddick vs Federer

On Tuesday evening, Andy will attempt to do what so many have deemed near impossible; derail the Federer Express. Andy is more than familiar with the World Number one as the two have played twelve times before, most recently in the Final of the 2006 US Open. Andy candidly jokes about the rivalry as Roger holds a commanding 11-1 record. But Roddick has added a new weapon to his arsenal which certainly increased his opportunities a few months back at Flushing Meadows: Jimmy Connors.

“It definitely sticks with you when a guy who’s won Grand Slam after Grand Slam honestly looks you in the eye and says that he thinks you could really do some special things in this game,” Andy reflected on his confidence following his first round robin victory over Croatia’s Ivan Ljubicic. This will be the second time facing Roger that Andy will have the sage advice of the legendary Connors, and as always Team Roddick is excited to take on the best. “We are looking forward to another opportunity against Fed on Tuesday night,” John Roddick told ar.com Sunday evening.

Andy is looking to blemish the Swiss’s almost perfect Masters Cup record. In his four consecutive Tennis Masters Cup appearances beginning in 2002, Roger has a 17-2 record at the season’s finale, taking the title in 2003, and 2004. Last year he was runner up to David Nalbandian who defeated Federer in a five set match lasting over four and a half hours. However, despite his winning tradition at the Masters Cup, Roger has demonstrated even he is not without faults as he dropped the first set of his opening Round Robin match against David Nalbandian on Sunday.

The stage is set for this highly anticipated Red Group Shanghai Showdown on Tuesday Night 7:00 PM Local Time (6:00 AM EST). Set those alarm clocks as ESPN2 will be showing live coverage from 6:00 – 8:00 AM EST. For the global TV Schedule, visit http://www.atptennis.com/en/tvschedule/tmc.asp#