Andy Serves Up 1-0 Lead for USA

In the buzzing Coliseum in Winstom-Salem, Andy gave Team USA a 1-0 lead over France after he defeated Michael Llodra 6-4, 7-6(3), 7-6(5).

With the Netheads leading the cheering, both players started strongly, serving especially well, and fans were treated to an intensely contested first set. However, at 4-4, Andy reproduced the stunning form with saw him lift the trophy in Dubai and defeat Roger Federer last week in Miami, raising his game at just the right moment.

Two great returns of serve forced errors from the Llodra racquet to set up 0-30 on the Frenchman’s serve, followed by a stunning backhand down the line pass from Andy to set up three break points. Llodra saved the first with an ace, one of 25 he hit in the match, before one of a series of Andy’s drilled forehand passes finally found its way past him to convert the second.

More devastating serving, a feature of his game which has been so prominent in recent weeks, secured the first set for Andy.

Llodra continued with his hugely successful net play in the second set, and after saving three break points in the opening game courtesy of some fine volleying from the Wimbledon doubles champion, went on to challenge Andy closely throughout the set. The set went to an inevitable tie-break, where Andy once again was able to come up with his best tennis on the big points – the telling feature of the match – and he clinched it 7-6(3).

The third set too went with serve, with Llodra’s form reminiscent of the weeks he was crowned champion in Adelaide and Rotterdam earlier this year. There was a scare for Andy and Team USA at 5-5 when Llodra’s fine tennis came to the fore to create three separate break point chances. However, Andy’s serve was there when he needed it and an ace secured him the game to lead 6-5.

Llodra held for a tie-break and, once again, Andy rose to the occasion on the big points. With Llodra serving at 4-5 he slightly overcooked a forehand and as it landed long Andy was rewarded with two match points. An unreturnable serve from Llodra denied him the first, but Andy was able to seal victory on his second with an unreturnable serve of his own.

In total, Andy fired 29 aces and hit 43 winners in securing the victory in 2hrs., 5mins.

“Michael played very well”, said Andy afterwards of his worthy opponent. “Event the points I was winning I was coming up with good shots. He came up with the goods today.”

“I thought I played very well. I mixed it (the serve) up well, I hit big ones when I needed to.”

Next up for Team USA, James Blake faces Paul-Henri Mathieu with the chance to put USA 2-0 up at the end of Day One, going into Saturday’s doubles.

Stay tuned to andyroddick.com for all the latest and match reaction.

Go Team USA!