Roddick stuns Federer in Miami; A-Rod claims third career victory over Fed
Roger Federer’s 16-match winning sequence was ended by Andy Roddick at the Miami Masters as the American turned back the clock with a stunning victory.
Much to the delight of a partisan Miami crowd, Federer was surprisingly defeated 7-6 1-6 6-4 as the man from Nebraska put his recent injury troubles behind him.
For the Fed, it was a first reverse since his Australian Open semi-final exit at the hands of Rafael Nadal and brought an abrupt end to another impressive run of results the Swiss maestro had been stringing together.
After the defeat, the two-time former winner of the event blamed “tiredness” after a gruelling first three months of the year. “I came out flat today. I was a bit tired, I guess. That’s maybe 30 matches for the season now. I’m just feeling like it’s taken its toll a bit.”
Having already secured tournament wins in Rotterdam, Dubai and Indian Wells this season, as well as reaching the last four in Melbourne Park, it will be a huge disappointment for the record Grand Slam champion to exit Miami at the third round stage.
However, the day belonged to Andy Roddick, who claimed a first scalp over a top-three player since 2010 and just his third victory in 24 career meetings against Federer. The American, himself a two-time winner of the event, described the decisive break of serve in the final set as “one of the best return games [he had] ever played”.
He goes on to play Juan Monaco of France in the last 16 tonight, in a match-up the home favourite will be confident of winning. Monaco reached this stage with a notable 4-6 6-3 6-4 victory against 14th seed Gael Monfils.
In the day’s other news, world number one Novak Djokovic continued his serene progress on the hardcourts with a 6-3 6-4 win over fellow countryman Victor Troicki. He will come up against Richard Gasquet in an intriguing battle for a place in the last eight, after the Frenchman beat Albert Ramos in three sets. Also safely through to the fourth round are Juan Martin Del Potro, David Ferrer and Mardy Fish.
Top speed Victoria Azarenka built on her victory over Britain’s Heather Watson to safely progress past Dominika Cibulkova in the women’s draw. She dropped the first set but recovered to record a narrow 1-6 7-6 7-5 against last year’s Wimbledon quarter-finalist.
Serena Williams, champion here on five separate occasions, knocked out sixth seed Sam Stosur 7-5 6-3 to set up a mouth-watering quarter-final with Dane Caroline Wozniacki in what will be a battle of two former world number ones. Wozniacki ensured her progression after battling past Yanina Wickmayer 7-6 6-0, whilst Maria Sharapova, Marion Bartoli and Li Na all made it through.
As well as Andy Roddick against Richard Gasquet, Andy Murray is on court this afternoon as he takes on Frenchman Gilles Simon.
Having not played since Friday due to the withdrawal of scheduled third-round opponent Milos Raonic, tiredness should not be an issue for the Scot. However, he will hope the lengthy wait to return to court will not work against him as he bids to continue his eight-match winning streak against Simon.
Jamie Jubon
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