Andy Roddick hosted Rafael Nadal in his most recentServed with Andy Roddick podcast. Two great rivals discussed various topics and recalled the encounters from their rivalry. They first met in the 2004 US Open second round.
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The 18-year-old rising star challenged the defending champion at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The home star produced a dominant 6-0, 6-3, 6-4 victory in an hour and 36 minutes, sending a teenager packing. Joking about their first duel, Rafa explained that Andy almost killed him with his serve.
The giant server imposed his booming initial shot, clocking 152 mp/h in the early stages of the duel. Nadal fought well in sets two and three, leading 4-2in the third but falling in straight sets. A couple of weeks earlier, the Spaniard became the youngest ATP champion since Lleyton Hewitt in 1998.
He kicked off his US Open campaign with a five-setter victory over the Swiss Ivo Heuberger. However, Roddick proved too strong on his beloved court. The 18-year-old served at 82% but drew nothing from his shakyinitial shot after experiencing elbow issues.
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Roddick clinched 55% of the return points and provided seven breaks from 11 opportunities. The American played against four break points in his only loose service game andmountedthe pressure on the other side. Rafa stayed below 20 winners and sprayed 30 unforcederrors.
The more experienced player hit more direct points than mistakes. He also kept his composure while attacking, generating over 30 forced errors from the young gun. They stayed neck and neck in the mid-range and most advanced rallies.
Andy took charge in the shortest ones, earning his victory in that segment. The American was the only player on the court in the opener. He landed a forehand down the line winner in the sixth game to earn a bagel in 19 minutes!
Nadal fought better early in the second set. He provided two fine holds before spraying a backhand error at 2-2 and losing a serve at love. The Spaniard served to stay in the set at 3-5 and experienced another break at love, sending the American two sets to love in front after 53 minutes!
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Rafa made his only push on the return in the first game of the third set and seized the fourth break chance with a backhand winner. The young gun saved a break point in the fourth game and forged a 3-1 advantage. Nadal saved two break points in the sixth game and remained in front.
However, he sprayed mistakes in the eighth game and experienced a break at 15 that brought Roddick back to 4-4. Andy held at 30 in game nine and provided another break at 15 a few minutes later to seal the deal and advance.
