Creature verses Creature: Andy Roddick Tames Hewitt's Hopes

A first of sorts, this article is a creature vs. creature in the autopsy stage—providing a detailed and structured post match analysis from each player's perspective.

This analytical piece presents the American side of the game while Long's article deals with a succinct summary of the Hewittian side of the net.

In order to simplify things, the article has been bifurcated into four sub-categories each of which will be explained in due course.

Match Summary

The match lived up to the expectations it generated—a tight contest between the two combatants; though it can be said that while Roddick went bouncing from strength to strength throughout the length of the match, Hewitt displayed a tendency to wax and wane intermittently.

While Roddick obviously has strengths that stand-out in his game, it was as much these that helped him stay ahead of his nemesis throughout the match, as his now-vastly-improved all-court skills. The match spoke volumes about the balance Roddick has achieved in his tennis over the past year.

For both the players this match was more about strategy and execution than mental fortitude, which played, but only a secondary role.

In yesterday's match Hewitt was nowhere near the dazzling form he displayed in his matches against Radek Stephanek and Juan Martin Del Potro. It is however only fair to say that two five setter matches on two alternate days was in all probability, debilitating to him given his slow physical recuperation.

And though he dragged Roddick to a deciding set, faced three break points in the eighth game of the decider which, had he converted, would have enabled him to serve for the match; it was clear that he had just bitten more than what he could have chewed putting a stop to his Wimbledon dream in the end.

Why Roddick Won

Roddick displayed an all-round game yesterday; his serves were perfect as always (43 aces to Hewitt's 19), unforced errors were kept to a minimum, and he extracted more leeway into the game by exploiting Hewitt's weak serve which wobbled even more as the match progressed.

The highlight of Roddick's game yesterday, however is that he played tactfully, shrewdly and brilliantly on Hewitt's dominant areas. He forced the Aussie to commit more and more mistakes from that side.

His rallies for example, were long but not long enough to allow Hewitt a foray to win the point; Roddick just knew when and how to approach the net, and how to pass Hewitt, if he himself made an approach to the net.

Roddick's attack and defence was almost flawless and precise to the "T." In fact to be very honest it can be said that this match will be regarded as his best match in the tournament so far.

Where Roddick Lacked

The weakness in his recently upgraded armour were almost next to nothing in this quarterfinal encounter; the only thing that can be said to his disadvantage would be that he wasn't throttling Hewitt enough to win the match in a four-setter, especially when he was leading in the fourth set with a break and game to love.

How to watch out for the other Andy

Even though Roddick played what could be his own version of sublime tennis yesterday, it will still not be enough to deal with the 22-year-old Brit.

Hewitt had a lot of chinks in his rusted armour. Murray on the other hand is playing hard enough to justify the aspiration of his nation, and so far has come through successfully, fighting and fending off each and every rival he has faced.

The pressure will be on Murray, no doubt. But to get the better of him, Roddick has to come roaring out like the one-time Grand Slam champion and a two-time Wimbledon finalist, if he wants to put Murray behind him.

"Gumption" is a word meaning utmost patience and perseverance, and gumption is what Roddick needs to demonstrate if he wants to clear past the "Mandy" hurdle; and while there is no doubt about the fact that he put forth a complete and superior game, Roddick needs to raise the level still, outlast the Scot.