Andy Over Ferrer, Into Quarterfinals

Andy Roddick’s shot variety, quick feet, and rocket serve scored him a seat into the quarterfinals against Andy Murray in Miami. After Ferrer got the best of Andy here last year, Andy stepped it up a notch, took it to Ferrer, and took home the golden ticket, 7-5, 6-3.

Taking to the court with Terrell Owens and Boyd Tinsley seated nearby, Andy played every point as if it were match point. Both Andy and Ferrer got on the board with an ace, but it was Andy who took the first slice out of Ferrer’s victory pie and broke at 2-1. With Andy then leading 3-1, Ferrer’s hunger to win picked up and he broke back on a double faulted. As the end of set came closer, Ferrer pushed Andy to deuce on his serve. A 138mph ace answered the question in Ferrer’s head, and no, he didn’t stand a chance. Even though Andy couldn’t seal the deal at 5-4 on the first set point, he ran away with a triple set point lead on Ferrer’s next serve. Ferrer faultered and hit one wide, giving Andy the first set, 7-5.

After winning 88 percent of points on his first serve, Andy was on a roll and kept the momentum going. At 1-1, after long rallies all over the court, left to right, baseline and volleying, Andy fired a 150 mph ace that just tipped Ferrer’s racquet to hold serve and the lead at 2-1. At 3-2, Andy challenged the first point on Ferrer’s serve and got the call, rattled the Spaniard, and jumped to a double break point. One into the net gave Andy the break, leading 4-2, and Andy gave the crowd an excited fist pump and roar. The heat was on, but Ferrer wasn’t ready to get out of the kitchen and held one last time 5-3. On match point on Andy’s Babolat Pure Drive, he served one out wide, came in on the return, and sent a forehand flick right behind Ferrer’s back.

Polishing off a match that Coach Connors commented as a “ball for ball” match that Andy played with great foot speed and variety, Andy earned his spot in the quarterfinals against Britain’s Andy Murray. This match-up is a game of “cat and mouse,” as Andy described in his post-match on-court interview. For now, Andy’s going to go refuel and enjoy a slice or two of his victory pie. Stay tuned for everything Andy in Miami. Go Andy!