Terrible Thursday? US Open, Day 11, Novak Djokovic & Roger Federer Advance

It should come as no surprise that Roger Federer triumphed over Gilles Muller but Muller showed his mettle by hanging with Roger Federer, losing serve but once in the match.

Muller made Federer earn the straight set victory 7-6 6-4 7-6.

In the night match, Novak Djokovic beat the American hopeful Andy Roddick.

Roddick never got on track in this match.

His serve was off  and at times awful.

With great ball strikers like Roddick, his serve has a certain pop, to my ears it sounded different last night and the gun, at times provided evidence to that. His serve was in the 110’s in that first set, far below average for the big bomber.

Roddick would fall behind early first to sets to Djokovic 6-2 6-4

Roddick appeared to right the ship come set three as he found his rhythm his serve improved a bit along with a dip in play from Djokovic he took the third set 6-3.

What would follow in the fourth set was truly shocking.

With Roddick serving for the fourth set and up 30-0, Roddick would serve up consecutive double faults paving the way for Djokovic to break.

It would culminate in a tie-breaker at 5-5, Roddick attempted an ill-fated drop shot. Djokovic took the set and the match 6-2 6-4 3-6 7-6.

Djokovic played a high quality first two sets but he created some intrigue for the media.

He criticized Andy Roddick who was seemingly only joking about Djokovic’s injuries.

The crowd booed heavily of course but I’m just dumbfounded by what I’m hearing.

“Djokvoic needs the crowd” they say.

What? Crowds win matches? That’s news to me. So you are saying, if I sit in the stands at the US Open, I can win USD 1.5 million?

Ok, I am willing to admit that support doesn’t hurt but I seem to remember a tennis player who could lose a crowd quicker than a hiccup and he had a terrible career

Seven majors, four years at No. 1.

Maybe you’ve heard of John Mcenro?

If Djokovic beats Federer, it will be because of his tennis. Nothing else!

Today is the Women’s semis on Furious Friday, I think Dementieva and Serena will advance.