FITNESS WINS FOR RODDICK

 

Djokovic handled the expectations, public attention, challenging draw, and even ball crushing roddick, but  the final element in this equation - stifling heat - sealed his fate.

He was two sets to one down against Andy Roddick in their quarterfinal, and with the score standing at 6-7(3) 6-4 6-2 2-1 in the American's favour, Djokovic ground to a halt.

He had managed to cope with the warm weather and Roddick in more or less that order for the first set, but when his rival tightened the screws at the start of the second set, Djokovic began to crumble.

It was bad enough that he had to play the new and streamlined Roddick [15 pounds lighter - mandated by his new coach Larry Stefanki ], but now he had to do it in the full heat of the day as the thermometer climbed into the mid-30s. It did not take long before Djokovic was gasping and calling for the trainer to have various bits of him iced down.

His previous match had been played at night, when Marcos Baghdatis had kept him on the court until 2.26 on Monday morning. So, in order to give himself a little more time to recover, Djokovic had asked for a night match on Tuesday, but the request was turned down. With little rest, a broiling sun and a rejuvenated Roddick crunching his forehand and walloping his serve, Djokovic was toast.