Andy Advances To Meet Moya In Quarter-finals

Andy Roddick vs. Carlos Moya
Thursday, Second on Stadium court, following a 1.00pm start (local time)

On Tuesday, Andy Roddick booked his place in the quarter finals of the Nasdaq-100 Open with a straight sets win over the Argentine Canas 6-3, 6-3. The match was straight up on Stadium Court after the biggest result of the day - Agassi losing to another Argentine, Agustin Calleri who had put out promising Aussie youngster Todd Reid in the previous round. But Andy ensured he was not to be another high profile casualty at the hands of an Argentinean and served well to stop Canas’s gutsy performance.

Andy started the match well, he served impeccably, was great off the ground, however did look a little lost at times at the net, early on. Both men’s serve helped them out of sticky situations in the first few games, but Andy finally outlasted Canas in that department and got the break at 4-3. He took his first break point in the game, working Canas around the court well to force the backhand error. He then held on to his serve in the most devastating fashion, with a smash and then three aces to give him a one set lead.

Andy had chances early on in the second set to go a break up. Canas double faulted at 30-30, serving for 3-2 to present Andy with the opportunity. But Andy wasn’t quite aggressive enough and missed the backhand pass. However Andy was not to be thwarted at the next opportunity. Canas gave Andy the game, with four unforced errors, finally conceding it with a forehand into the net.

With the match potentially in the bag, Andy did not hang about on his service game and a powerful smash set him up at 5-3, just a game away from the quarter finals. However he was not pushed to serve it out by Canas. A forehand stop volley by Andy gave him a 0-15 lead, but then three more unforced errors from the Argentine racquet, ending with a forehand that went wide, gave Andy the match.

It wasn’t one of Andy’s better performances, but he did what he had to do, served remarkably well and took his opportunities when they arose.

Stats: Andy had an excellent 72% first serve, and hit 11 aces on his way to victory. He also hit twice has many winners to unforced errors. Andy was ambitious in his net play and won 10 out of 17 approaches.

In the quarter-finals, Andy will face Carlos Moya of Spain. The two have played twice before with Andy winning both encounters, their last match being at the 2003 Masters Cup in Houston.

Quarter-final opponent: Carlos Moya
Birthdate: 8/27/1976
Birthplace: Palma de Mallorca, Spain
Residence: Geneva, Switzerland
Height: 6″3″” (190 cm)
Weight: 185 lbs (84 kg)
Plays: Right-handed
Turned Pro: 1995
Previous Year’s Final Indesit ATP Race Position: 7
Current Indesit ATP Race Position: 6

Photo by Ron Angle/BEImages