 Photographer: Ron Angle
Date: 07 Mar 2009 |  Photographer: Ron Angle
Date: 07 Mar 2009 |  Photographer: Ron Angle
Date: 07 Mar 2009 |  Photographer: Ron Angle
Date: 07 Mar 2009 |  Photographer: Ron Angle
Date: 07 Mar 2009 |  Photographer: Ron Angle
Date: 07 Mar 2009 |
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| 06 Mar 2009 - Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex Arena, Birmingham, AL. - Craig Gabriel - USA v SUI | |
| Roddick ties Agassi with 30 Davis Cup wins |
Andy Roddick defeated Marco Chiudinelli 61 63 76(5) to level the tie at 1-1 in the opening round of the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas first round tie between USA and Switzerland in Birmingham, Alabama. Roddick had it all his way in the opening two sets but Chiudinelli hung tough in the third, forcing a tiebreak and saving six break points. For Roddick, who thanked the crowd for their support, the victory meant a 30th win tying him in total wins with Andre Agassi in sixth place in American Davis Cup history.
“There are probably a few times in your career when you can say ‘wow’ a little bit and this is definitely one of those,” said Roddick. “To be in the same breath with Andre, especially because he is known for playing well in Davis Cup is pretty humbling and pretty cool for me.”
The second singles was a critical win for the Americans after James Blake’s lost to Stanislas Wawrinka in Friday’s first match. But the home team had their stalwart Roddick with his 29-11 win/loss record against Marco Chiudinelli whose singles record in the competition was a meagre 4-1. The Swiss team was, of course, without Roger Federer whose ailing back forced him out of this tie. His name was everywhere and his absence, or perhaps presence, was felt throughout the weekend by everyone from his team, to the fans and even to the US Davis Cup team who were disappointed not to have the challenge of playing the great Federer.
Roddick dominates opening sets
Roddick jumped out to a 6-1 win in the opening set as the Swiss was overwhelmed by the power and determination of the American.Chiudinelli, 27 years old and, like Federer, from Basel, lifted his game in the second set, serving better, making fewer errors and staying with Roddick for the first seven games. Serving 15-40 in the eighth game, Chiudinelli put a forehand over the sideline to hand Roddick the break and a chance to serve for the set. As he has done so many times in the past, Roddick used his big serve, and a well-placed lob, to take the second set 6-3.
Courier in the house
The presence of former American Davis Cup player Jim Courier was a reminder of another USA/Switzerland tie. In 1992 in Fort Worth, Texas, Courier and teammates Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi and John McEnroe defeated a Swiss team comprised of Jakob Hlasek and Marc Rosset 3-1 to bring the US its 30th title. Present as a spectator was a very young Andy Roddick whose love of Davis Cup began that weekend. His team’s 4-1 win two years ago in Portland over Russia gave USA a record 32nd title and was clearly the emotional highlight of the dedicated Roddick’s Davis Cup career so far, a feeling he hopes to repeat in the 2009 campaign. Roddick’s personal history with Switzerland includes his debut performance in Basel when he defeated George Bastl in straight sets in the fifth and dead rubber.
The measure of Marco
Roddick, a year younger and at No. 6, 340 places higher in the rankings than his opponent, did not have a free ride, especially in the third set as the Swiss player fought hard, holding serve easily and making fewer errors. Roddick held serve easily to level the set at 4-all putting the pressure squarely on Chiudinelli. The Swiss dropped to 0-40 on his serve but Roddick committed a series of uncharacteristic errors before Chiudinelli held serve to take the lead in the set 5-4. The rest of the set went with serve, forcing a tiebreak.
Down but not out: Roddick wins exceptional point
With so many chances squandered, the pressure might have moved to Roddick but it was Chiudinelli who blinked first, doublefaulting the opening point of the breaker. Nerves were showing as both players struggled to hold serve early in the tiebreak. At 4-all in a stunner of a point, the American fell flat on his face but got back up to win the point and take a 5-4 lead. Chiudinelli levelled at 5-all then Roddick converted his sixth break point of the set to win the match.
Roddick credited the large Birmingham crowd, saying “I thought it was important, I even said to our guys in the locker room, before the match that it was their job on the bench to get everyone enthused and don’t be scared to turn around and make eye contact with people and get them pumped up. Marco played a lot of tennis but maybe not in this type of atmosphere. In Davis Cup, the crowd is there to be utilised and I thought this was maybe a factor.”
Tomorrow’s doubles line-up will feature the USA’s Bryan brothers, Bob and Mike, against Yves Allegro and Wawrinka. The Americans should be favoured but Wawrinka did win the Olympic gold medal in doubles with Federer, beating those Bryans along the way. Whatever happens, the tie will be live on Sunday with Roddick facing Wawrinka in the opening singles likely followed by Blake vs. Chiudinelli.
Related Links on other websites
> Information from USTA
> Infos en francais- Swiss Tennis
Related Links on Daviscup.com
> Tie Information
> Scorecards and statistics
> Wawrinka too hot for Blake
> Blake to open in Birmingham
Related Audio
 Interview with Andy Roddick (USA) - day 1
Interview with captain Patrick McEnroe (USA) - day 1
Interview with captain Severin Luthi (SUI) - day 1
Interview with Marco Chiudinelli (SUI) - day 1
 
If you cannot hear the audio, then please update your media player by following one of the links above.
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