Thunderstorm Strands Roddick With Match Against Swiss To Sort Out

A thunderstorm Wednesday night left top seed Andy Roddick hanging in a battle with stubborn Swiss Michal Kratochvil, with the American leading 6-4, 2-5, 40-40 when the violent Midwest weather struck.

Roddick, the world No. 2, was stranded by a summer storm which was preceeded by swirling winds and the threat of lightning which made the match unplayable even before the skies opened.

Roddick badly needs a fast start on the hardcourts as he defends a swag of 2003 titles this summer at home - Indy, the Masters Series in Canada and C-Cincinnati plus the U.S. Open.

The top seed was having his troubles with No. 141 Kratochvil, who once stood Top 30 but has suffered with knee and elbow injuries.

The Swiss hung tough as he lost the first set on a break in the third game, but broke for 3-1 in the second to give Roddick fits.

At one frustrating moment, Roddick rushed to th sidelines and borrowed a camera off of a photographer, joking around with themachine before getting back to business.

The American is making his second appearance in Indianapolis as he attempts to win his fourth ATP title of the year following victories in San Jose, Miami and Queen’s club, London.

The last match Roddick played was against Swiss Roger Federer, who beat him in the Wimbledon final. He could do nicely now with finishing up a winagainst another Swiss when play resumed Thursday afternoon in the second-round match after a bye for Roddick.

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