A-Rod Strikes Down on Murray and Demolishes British Hype

It wasn't long before A-Rod got down to business, and after some huge serves, well in excess of 130 mph, he happily pocketed a 2 sets to 1 lead.

The fourth and final set saw much of the same, the American producing some blistering tennis, Murray hanging on the edge of the cliff. And hang there he did, much to Judy Murray's delight, occasionally clenching her strangely unshaped fist.

The two men found themselves in another tie-break, thus the outcome was never in any doubt. 6-4 and 1 serve still to come, Roddick is surely returning to Centre Court on Sunday, wait...nope, yet another scorching backhand pass from Murray.

Andrew Castle sticks firm to his assumption that this match has more tennis to offer, but the American soon put that theory to bed with a huge forehand forcing the error from Murray.

More than a glimpse of the Roddick of '03, and after falling to the grassy surface of Centre Court Andy Roddick lifted himself to confront the defeated Scot, shake hands with the umpire, and show his gratitude to the crowd who, on occasions, cheered for the non-Brit.

So much for the inevitable final then, a real smack in the front teeth with a wet fish for the British media this one, but ah well, I guess "he's only 22."

Well played A-Rod, 6-4 4-6 7-6 7-6, and we now have an unbiased, mouth-watering final to look forward to.

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