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Class dismissed American master Sampras takes pupil Roddick to schoolPosted: Thursday September 05, 2002 11:15 PMNEW YORK (Reuters) -- Andy Roddick has come a long way in a short time but he knows there is still a challenging road ahead after he was dealt a 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 tennis lesson by Pete Sampras in the quarterfinals of the U.S. Open on Thursday. The 20-year-old is one of America's brightest hopes to follow in the footsteps of the ageing Sampras and Agassi, but he came up empty against a player determined to show he is still far from being a spent force. "It's a learning experience and I'll try my best to soak it up," a disappointed Roddick said. "I think I'll have my moment here some day. I'm just going to try my best and keep working hard and try to take something away from these losses, as well as the wins." Roddick came out slow, after appearing to be uneasy waiting for the end of extended on-court ceremonies that delayed the start of the match by 50 minutes. There was little of the exuberance that has made him one of the most exciting new players to watch on the ATP Tour. There was no fist-pumping, no hand-slapping with the crowd after a spectacular winner, and just one futile shot between the legs when a simple forehand might more easily have won the point. The showman had nothing to show against an opponent determined to put down those who claimed he was washed up and over the hill. "The game's still there," Sampras said. "I feel that when I practise, I feel it when I play. "Week in, week out it's tougher to be anywhere near as dominant as I once was. Being number one is over. But I've let that go, and I still feel I've got it out there." Roddick was happy to learn from someone he has always looked up to. "I grew up idolizing Pete," Roddick said. "I have a great deal of respect for what he's done. And tonight I watched and learned what I should be doing on big points. I was on the other side of it. "I watched how to come in and, really, from the first point to the last point, set the tone for the match." The U.S. Open may be over for Roddick, but there is still a Davis Cup tie looming against France at Roland Garros later this month, and he still hopes to qualify for the season-ending Masters Cup in Shanghai in November. That would round off what has been a good year for him, although there have been some disappointments "With the exception of this, I didn't play well in the grand slams," he admitted. "But I played pretty well throughout the rest of the year. It wasn't an awesome year, it wasn't a great year, but it was a good year. "I'm still confident that I'm going to finish in the top-10 and that was my main goal for the year. "I have a lot to build on, and that's what keeps me optimistic on downer days, that I'm winning matches I just have to keep going and keep working."
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. |
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