Match report

Viktor Troicki © Tennistalk.com
AIG Japan Open
Quarter final
10/3/08 1 2 Tot
rs  Viktor Troicki 3 4 0
us  Andy Roddick 6 6 2
Andy Roddick © Tennistalk.com

  • In-form Roddick reaches Japan Open semifinals

    10/3/08 5:29 PM | Ricky Dimon
    Andy Roddick continues his strong run of late by taking out Viktor Troicki in the Tokyo quarterfinals on Friday. Next up for Roddick is Tomas Berdych.

    Andy Roddick made sure that his Friday clash with Viktor Troicki was the least suspenseful of their three encounters this season. Roddick prevailed 5-7, 6-2, 6-4 in Miami, while Troicki bounced back to win a three-setter of his own in Washington, D.C. after dropping the first set 6-0 in 21 minutes. This time Roddick finished the proceedings in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4, to book his place in the semifinals of the Japan Open, where he will meet Tomas Berdych. The second-seeded Roddick is looking for his second-straight title, having captured the trophy in Beijing last week.

    This one was probably closer, however, than the score suggested. The first set featured just one break of serve. Troicki saved five of six break points in the opening frame of play, but the one on which Roddick capitalized proved to be enough. The Serb won a fair share of return points in Roddick's five service games, but he could not win the key points necessary to give him any break chances.

    Troicki, who effectively became the No. 17 seed with a first-round bye when Gael Monfils pulled out, finally broke through on one occasion in set two, but his own serve prevented him from staying in the match. He double-faulted twice and did not make enough first serves, especially considering that Roddick won 64 percent of his second-serve return points in the second set. The American used two breaks to set up a chance to serve things out, which he did to finish off the match.

    “That was pretty good,” said Roddick. “It's the best I have hit the ball this week. I did not feel very comfortable during my first match here, but now I know I can get through the weekend if I keep playing like this.”

    To do that he will have to survive Berdych on Saturday. Roddick leads their head-to-head series 2-1, although it is one apiece on hard courts.

  • Thumbs up

    Good, aggressive play from Roddick, whose ace count through three matches is at 64.

  • Thumbs down

    Troicki had as many double-faults as aces (four).

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