Andy Sends USA Into Semis

In just 97 minutes, Andy flattened France’s chance make a come back, clinching this home-turf tie by defeating Paul Henri Mathieu in straight sets, 6-2, 6-3, 6-2. Attacking Mathieu’s forehand and utilizing his strengthened backhand gave Andy the edge to bring Team USA to next face Spain in the semifinals

Starting the match on his racquet, Andy used the fast court to his advantage and quickly got on board. He showed Mathieu that he was ready to rumble, fighting back from 40-love to deuce though France held. At 2-1, Andy earned a double break point, though Mathieu fought back to deuce, and Andy capitalized for the break and lead, 3-1. Andy continued to wear down Mathieu’s game and turn up the heat on his own offense, whipping forehands so fast you could hear the ball whizzing cross-court. Holding at 5-2, Andy’s backhand was the Frenchman’s target today, though the baseline was the bulls-eye for Andy as he hit it every time. With the set on Mathieu’s racquet, he buckled under the pressure and double-faulted on break point to hand the set to our Davis Cup Champ.

Proving why he just that, Andy kept up his winning momentum and crushing offense to break Mathieu’s first service game to lead 2-0. Deflating every aspect of the Frenchman’s game, though the long rallies of high quality baseline battles showed a glimpse of hope, Andy earned his second break point of the set on France’s second service game, but Mathieu held to get on board 3-1. With Andy serving for the set at 5-3, Mathieu continued to watch the serves fly by as Andy locked it up at 6-3.

Going into the third, Andy sealed the deal with 17 aces, a total of 47 for this tie, to earn his tenth straight singles victory in Davis Cup. Andy capitalized on five of his thirteen break points, and the fourth came on the opening game of this set. On Andy’s next service game, Mathieu accomplished something for the first time the entire match, he won two points in one game off Andy’s racquet. However, that would also be the last time he would do so.

Andy held his games by continually attacking Mathieu’s forehand, and got break point number five to earn the lead, 4-1. With Tie Point on Mathieu’s racquet at 5-1, Mathieu saved his team from going home by hitting a forehand winner on the line, though Team USA nearly jumped over the wall thinking it was out. France held at 5-2, but that didn’t deter our American Firepower from firing aces 15, 16, and 17 in the next game. After Andy smacked down ace #17 on the T, he looked up at his team as he had done it yet again, won the golden Davis Cup ticket into the next round.

Andy’s game plan today, after speaking to James Blake post Friday’s five-setter against Mathieu, was to hit the ball high or keep it low, out of Mathieu’s ideal strike zone. Sticking to the plan, going for the wins, and keeping Mathieu out of any rhythm what-so-ever today earned Andy the match and tie “W”. Team USA now goes onto face Spain in Spain for a semifinal showdown, most likely on red clay. Stay tuned to AR.com for what’s to come with Andy.

GO TEAM USA!