Federer Makes Seventh Straight Wimbledon Final, Faces Roddick

(Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

But with a commitment to improvement, perhaps like no other, Roddick was willing to do whatever was required to grab some "major" hardware.

First on the list would be to find a coach who cares, and more importantly one who knows how to improve and elevate the level of a players game—check mark to Larry Stefanki.

Second, a proposition would have to be made to combat the viral liabilities in his game.: the backhand, movement, volley and return. Check mark to those improvements.

The final and last quirk, which would be the most difficult to implement would be the actual execution. Yes, Andy would actually have to employ what he learned and make a move.

Well folks, after countless years of searching for the answers to his adversities, Roddick finally has what he has yearned for since 2006, a grand slam final.

With his actions coming at the despair of all of Britain, Andy Roddick poured in his best performance, maybe ever, to defeat third seed Andy Murray today, 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (9-7), 7-6 (7-5).

The result was quite shocking to be honest, considering the fact that Murray owned a convincing 6-2 head-to-head lead going in. Murray had also won the pairs' lone grass-court match during Wimbledon 2006—a much more confident Murray stood before us.

With all the stats, and previous losses in the forefront of Roddick's vision, he began his semifinal with Murray the way every tennis match should be played—different day, anything can happen.

Roddick conducted himself with conviction this afternoon: belief, belief and more belief. His serve was blasting up the unmarked backstop relentlessly on each side of the court. His return game had more clarity; not too much, and not too little. And, finally, his net game, which has on occasion has been suspect, was employed the way it should be, as a finishing shot.

Murray by contrast was equally as competent throughout. His serve provided more aces than Roddick (25-21), and his first serve percentages out weighed Roddick's (83-77). Finally, Murray's second serve—"your only as good as your second serve"—won a higher percentage (53-51).

So what went wrong for Murray today? Was it a question of Roddick playing with more rigor? Or was it Murray just not winning the big points?

The latter seems to be fitting.

There were ample opportunities for the Scot to prosper in this contest. His five squandered break point chances spearheaded his set point in the second-set breaker. Simply put, Roddick would not allow Murray to squeeze through the window.

Murray's sand-in-hand chances were diminishing rapidly. A lame audible obscenity was driven his way, and the crowd for one reason or another never got their rally caps cued.

Oh wait, aren't the Brits too proper for rally caps?

Nevertheless, a few shoestring volleys and an utterly composed American became too much for the Brit's home-country hopeful. 1936 and counting will resonate.

The serve of Roddick simply made the difference in the end.

Murray had this to say after another year of not having the Queen attend on the final Sunday:

"I thought I played well. I mean, if you look at the stats, I hit more winners, less unforced errors, more aces. I'm sure the points that we won were very, very similar. It just came down to a few points here or there on his serve.

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