Andy Roddick and Bernard Tomic clash for the
first time in the second round on Friday, the 31st August. Roddick
is the 2003 champion and the 2006 runner up. Tomic is playing in the main draw
for the second time. It would be a battle between experience and youth.
Roddick has generally performed well in the
U.S Open. His game plan will remain unchanged from the first round - put in
more than 70% first serves in and fire at least one ace per service game. He
will serve wide to draw Tomic out and try to execute one - two combination on
the other side of the court. Tomic is neither the best returner nor the
quickest mover. If Roddick succeeds in keeping his serve intact as he did in
the first round, he will put pressure on Tomic’s serve. If he is not able to
break Tomic’s serve, he will strive to take the set to the tie breaker where he
will have a distinct advantage.
Tomic has limitations on serve, but since
Roddick is not a renowned returner, he will get quite a few unreturned serves. He
would try to keep more balls to the backhand of Roddick which is the weaker
flank. Tomic’s winners on ground strokes would exceed errors. He would try to
elongate the match and take advantage of ten year gap in age.
Both the players play similar type of
counter punching game. Barring serve, their assets are well matched. Perhaps it
is the serve that would tilt the balance in Roddick’s favour.
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