In the second installment of “On The Rod with Lacoste” at the Masters Cup in Shanghai, Andy prepares for his first round robin match in the “Group of Death” against Croatian Ivan Ljubicic. Lacoste takes you courtside as Andy practices with Spaniard Rafael Nadal in an “intense” training session. Coach Jimmy Connors watches on as Andy beats Nadal in a tiebreaker. Following a grueling day at Qi Zhong Stadium, Lacoste and Andy reflect on his 2006 season back at the hotel.

“It lies in that period between Cincinnati and the US Open,” Andy tries to pinpoint his best on court memory in 2006, “that was my best tennis….One of the toughest matches for me mentally was at the Open,” Andy reflects on his straight set victory over Lleyton Hewitt.

“Maybe my biggest regret was losing serve at five all in the third set in the US Open final,” Andy says with a little grin, “ I definitely learned some things during that final…I think I can take away a lot of positives from that,” as always Andy moves forward with a positive attitude.

Andy shares Coach Jimmy Connors’s honest surprise that things “came together” that quickly for Andy to make a sincere run for the US Open title. “I think you have to look at it with a sense of satisfaction,” Andy admits he even surpassed his own expectations at the US Open. “Now we can look towards building.” After a nice chat with Lacoste, Andy heads to bed for a good night’s sleep before his debut match in Qi Zhong Stadium.

[1] Click here to view the On The Rod video clip.