Creature V Creature: Andy Roddick: Play INTREPID

Joan presents Federer’s side of the tale, she probably convinced most of you that Randy should possibly not even bother rockin up to center court in London tomm. I haven’t read hers, but am assuming she said Rodge would serve more aces than Randy and win in straights, possibly. Cheers

Introduction: There is nothing new to be said here, that hasn’t been already. ROD is in his third London final to be played tomm, a day after The American Independence Day. He is playing better than the previous two times he has reached the same stage. I am not sure he will win tomm, but here is what he can do to give himself a decent shot.

Will Win If (and) Will Lose If, Shots and Intangibles: Every time I have said this – ‘Bomb Big, Bomb Heavy and Bomb Merciless’, it works against everyone but for Federer. There is a certain innate sixth sense Rodge has that tells him where and exactly which serve ROD is going to pull out of his serve arsenal. That’s a given, it is also a given that every time they play, ROD serves less aces and service winners than Rodge – so as much as the commentators will try and get you excited about that, don’t fall for it. This is all known.

Randy – should not come in on ‘Please PASS ME’ mediocre mid court approach shots that only do one thing, make Rodge look like the best passing shot tennis playing machine on Planet Earth. He should not come in on mediocre approaches, he will get passed 9.5 times out of 10 (OZ, 2007 Semis).

Definitely, take a leaf out of Rafael’s book. Serve consistently out to the back hand and be there at front mid court to take the return on the rise to control the point. Rodge has never been the biggest returner, he chips the ball back, sometimes low, sometimes deep and even the wicked low no pace slice to start the point. It’s not the serve alone that is important, but the second hit that helps him wrestle control of the point from the Swiss. Then it comes down to execution. There used to be a time when as soon as they get into a rally Rodge almost always had the edge. But the way ROD has been consistently firing away from the ground, it’s not as cut and dry now. Hence he should choose moments to come in, do come in but make sure the approach is top quality. Hence with other players it’s the serve that is the lethal weapon, with Rodge both the serve and the first hit combination will alone do the trick. ROD is playing good enough to execute this well.

Ride the storm, there will be times when ROD will get broken and the sense of uncomfortable ‘Here we go again’ Déjà vu creeps in. Ride the storm, that’s where confidence comes into play. If he has played this well to reach the final, he has to absolutely back himself at this juncture. Absolutely no panic, at any stage. In a best of five set match you will have chances, very small ones at that against Rodge – but there will be chances. Take them.

You're currently logged into Facebook

Do you want to share your Bleacher Report activity on Facebook?