Roddick vs. Italy’s Bolelli

“I enjoy the challenge of clay,” Andy noted in his post-match interview after defeating fellow compatriot Mardy Fish. “It’s obviously probably my toughest surface, so, you know, that makes the wins that I do get that much more satisfying.”

Andy will continue his first European and clay-court campaign of 2008 by taking on Italy’s own Simone Bolelli third on after 1pm on Stadio Pietrangeli for the third round match-up at the Internaziolani BNL d’Italia in Rome.

These two have never met on court before, though their styles are similar by favoring their forehand shot and hard courts. The 22-year-old Italian has used his weapon to gain some notable ground and break the Top 100 last year, now ranked 55 after reaching a high of 53 in February, when he defeated Monfils and Tursunov at the 2007 AMS Miami tournament, Safin in Barcelona, and Benneteau at the US Open. He has upped his game by being a common practice partner for Federer, though no practice can prepare any player for the heat that comes off our American Firepower’s Babolat Pure Drive.

After defeating Gilles Simon with a twin-6-4 score to face Andy next, this right-handed rising player will soon stand the test of returning the fastest serve in the world. Below are more stats on Simone:

Birthdate: ct-85
Birthplace: Bologna, Italy
Residence: Budrio, Italy
Height: 6’0’’ (182 cm)
Weight: 174 lbs (79 kg)
Plays: Right-handed
Turned Pro: 2003
Coach: Claudio Pistolesi

“I played pretty solid,” Andy confidently said. With a sunny, dry day on his side yesterday, the court was a little faster and the ball bounced a little lower, and hopefully these conditions will remain for another clay-court “W”.

You can follow this match via Live Scoring on www.internazionlibnlditalia.it or www.atptennis.com, or check out if TV viewing is an option on www.internazionalibnlditalia.it/2/CosiTV.asp?LNG=EN.

Stay tuned to AR.com for the latest from Roma. Go Andy!