London - The dream died at Wimbledon for Andy Murray as
the home hero fell to a 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (9-7), 7-6 (7-5) semi-final
defeat at the hands of Andy Roddick Friday.
A month's worth of hype and a tune-up title at Queen's counted for
nought as two-time finalist American Roddick laid down 21 aces and
first serve numbers of 75 percent to deflate the Murraymania which
has gripped a nation that last had a men's finalist in 1938.
Roddick will have something to prove as he heads into his third
Wimbledon final against Roger Federer, who crushed Tommy Haas 7-6
(7-3), 7-5, 6-3 to reach his seventh consecutive title match at the
All England Club.
Roddick was sounded amazed to be back fighting for a Grand Slam
title after losing to the Swiss in 2004 and 2005.
'Out last couple of matches have been very close,' said the holder
of a 2-18 record against the five-time Wimbledon winner. 'I'm going
to enjoy this win today and re-group and think about the final on
Saturday.'
Roddick won the first set with a break in the concluding game but
was doomed in the second as he dropped serve to begin the second.
With the match square at a set each, Murray fought back from 5-2
down in the third. He later recovered in the tiebreaker while
trailing 4-2, firing three aces in a row to earn a set point.
Roddick calmly saved that and took the match lead again on his own
second set point from a Murray error.
With a crowd of 15,000 cheering him on Centre court and another
5,000 posted on Henman Hill and in another showcourt watching on
screens, Murray was unable to lift in the fourth as Roddick went
through with a winning tiebreaker, his 26th of the season against
just four losses.
'You always expect your opponents to play well at this stage,'
said Murray, who made no excuses for his showing. 'He served great,
especially in the tiebreakers.
'I had chances in the tiebreaks and early in the third set and I
didn't take them. I played well, I had more winners, less unforced
errors and more aces.
'It came down to a few points here and there on his serve, there's
not a lot you can do with that.'
Roddick closed out the upset of the third seed on his second match
point when Murray netted.
'I had to play my best tennis to win today,' said Roddick, 'I
can't say enough good things about Andy's game. Not many people gave
me much of a chance. But if I stay the course, I knew I had a shot.
'I've had a lot of shortcomings, but trying hard is not one of
them. He had the pressure and I could come out and swing. That helped
me today.
'I didn't play my best but I played well. To be honest I didn't
know if I'd get the chance to play for another Grand Slam final. Now
I get to and it's just a dream.'
Federer's victory was his ninth in a row against Haas, who led the
Swiss by two sets to love in the French Open fourth round before
losing a month ago to the eventual titleholder.
Federer admitted that he couldn't have played much better in what
turned into a rout.
'I knew the danger. I'm happy I came through, It's unbelievable to
be back in another final.'
Federer worked his magic in front former greats Bjorn Borg and Rod
Laver watching in the Royal Box.
The Swiss is aiming for history on Sunday, where a victory will
put him on an all-time best of 15 Grand Slam singles titles, one more
than the record he now shares with Pete Sampras.
The retired LA-based American must now decide if he will accept an
invitation and fly over for the final as he has said in the past he
would like to do.
Federer said he's not going into the final with any additional
worries.
'I've had a lot of pressure over the years,' said the 27-year-old.
'This is just another great opportunity to get into history books. I
don't play for that, I enjoy the game. But going for something this
big on Sunday will be quite extraordinary.'
USA
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