Andy Battles into Rome Semis

Andy battled into the semifinals in Rome for the first time since 2002 with a fine 6-3, 4-6, 7-6(4) victory over accomplished clay court player Tommy Robredo on Friday at the Foro Italico.

Having already disposed of Mardy Fish and local hope Simone Bolelli in the earlier rounds, Andy produced another committed and professional performance to knock off No. 16 ranked Robredo.

One element of Andy’s game that shone through today, to join his backhand from earlier performances, was his serve and volley play, which came to the fore when he most needed it and proved to be the difference on the big points.

Andy began the match eager to make an early impression and nearly did so as he was presented with three break points in Robredo’s opening service game, but a good recovery from Robredo ensured he held on.

Andy’s persistence paid off as he got his break in the fourth game with help from some Robredo errors to lead 3-1. The Spaniard had a chance to hit back immediately at 0-40 on Andy’s serve, but Andy changed it up by charging the net on all three occasions and his bravery was rewarded as he held his game to lead 4-1.

There were to be no more incidents on Andy’s serve as he went on to close out the set in convincing fashion, two big serves at 30-0 sealing it 6-3 after 32 minutes.

Both players were forced to save break points early in the second set and Andy’s serve was called into action to fend one off at 4-3 before the crunch game came at 4-5 with Andy serving. At 15-30 a superb forehand pass from Robredo set him up with two set points at 15-40, and took it on the first as a miscued backhand slice, accompanied by a cry of anguish from Andy, found its way into the bottom of the net to level up the match at one set all.

Andy was back in front early in the second set, breaking in the third game as Robredo fired a forehand wide.

Andy has chances to gain a double break in Robredo’s following service game, but some big time play from the Spaniard keept Andy at bay, and he was made to rue his missed chances as Robredo found some inspirational shots to bring up a break point at 30-40 and a double fault from Andy, his fifth of the match, got Robredo back on level terms.

With Robredo looking to capitalize on his momentum, Andy did well to take the third set into a tie-break where his serve proved to be a lethal weapon. In the blink of an eye he was 3-0 up with two more aces under his belt and he went on to close out the tie-break and the match with a power smash at 6-4 in the breaker.

In the semifinals Andy will face Stanislas Wawrinka, who defeated James Blake in the day’s earlier quarterfinal.

Stay tuned to andyroddick.com for all the latest from Rome.

Go, Andy!