Post by Taxigirl on Jul 4, 2004 9:17:43 GMT
news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/3863139.stm
news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/3863099.stm
By Caroline Cheese
BBC Sport at Wimbledon
Andy Roddick is hoping his hard-hitting game will be enough to end Roger Federer's dreams of defending his Wimbledon title in Sunday's final.
The encounter is expected to be an intriguing clash of styles between the world's top two players.
"We have different games - he's more about feel and artistry," said Roddick.
"The one advantage I have over him is just hitting the ball hard and that's what I'm going to have to do - play to my strengths."
Roddick was comprehensively beaten by Federer in the semi-finals last year, but the American insisted that match will have no bearing on the final.
"I think we've both become better players and we've both been through a lot more," he said.
"The whole thing about professional sport is you want to measure yourself up against the best and try to be the best.
"There's no better opportunity than a match like Sunday."
It will mark the first time since 1982 that the two top seeds have met in a Wimbledon men's final, and Roddick believes the pair have earned their status as the world's best.
"If you look at the last year, I think we're maybe a little bit above everybody else as far as results go," he said.
"So to be able to play on the biggest stage in tennis, I think it will create a lot of interest, and that's definitely a plus for the game."
Both players have dropped only one set on their way to the final, but the reigning champion is in supreme form and will start as favourite to win his third Grand Slam title.
Roddick's coach Brad Gilbert said he was somewhat upset that the final will only be the second seed's second match on Centre Court this year.
"He is number two seed and has played five straight matches away from Centre. He's not like an obscure guy!"
"It's obviously not an advantage for me," said the 21-year-old. "I figured I'd get on there maybe more than once before the final.
"But I'm going to get out there and I'm going to give it a go. I'm not going to waste time worrying about it, that's for sure."
Meanwhile, Federer agrees with Roddick that he is now a different player than he was when he beat the American 12 months ago.
"Last year's semi-final was so incredible,one of the most exciting matches for me last year," he said.
"But I think I'm a more complete player, more secure.
"I know what I have to do and that maybe wasn't quite there last year because I had never won a Grand Slam."
Victory would also see Federer rack up 24 straight wins on grass, surpassing Pete Sampras' best of 23.
However, he would still be well short of Bjorn Borg's overall record of 41.
news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tennis/3863099.stm
By Caroline Cheese
BBC Sport at Wimbledon
Andy Roddick is hoping his hard-hitting game will be enough to end Roger Federer's dreams of defending his Wimbledon title in Sunday's final.
The encounter is expected to be an intriguing clash of styles between the world's top two players.
"We have different games - he's more about feel and artistry," said Roddick.
"The one advantage I have over him is just hitting the ball hard and that's what I'm going to have to do - play to my strengths."
Roddick was comprehensively beaten by Federer in the semi-finals last year, but the American insisted that match will have no bearing on the final.
"I think we've both become better players and we've both been through a lot more," he said.
"The whole thing about professional sport is you want to measure yourself up against the best and try to be the best.
"There's no better opportunity than a match like Sunday."
It will mark the first time since 1982 that the two top seeds have met in a Wimbledon men's final, and Roddick believes the pair have earned their status as the world's best.
"If you look at the last year, I think we're maybe a little bit above everybody else as far as results go," he said.
"So to be able to play on the biggest stage in tennis, I think it will create a lot of interest, and that's definitely a plus for the game."
Both players have dropped only one set on their way to the final, but the reigning champion is in supreme form and will start as favourite to win his third Grand Slam title.
Roddick's coach Brad Gilbert said he was somewhat upset that the final will only be the second seed's second match on Centre Court this year.
"He is number two seed and has played five straight matches away from Centre. He's not like an obscure guy!"
"It's obviously not an advantage for me," said the 21-year-old. "I figured I'd get on there maybe more than once before the final.
"But I'm going to get out there and I'm going to give it a go. I'm not going to waste time worrying about it, that's for sure."
Meanwhile, Federer agrees with Roddick that he is now a different player than he was when he beat the American 12 months ago.
"Last year's semi-final was so incredible,one of the most exciting matches for me last year," he said.
"But I think I'm a more complete player, more secure.
"I know what I have to do and that maybe wasn't quite there last year because I had never won a Grand Slam."
Victory would also see Federer rack up 24 straight wins on grass, surpassing Pete Sampras' best of 23.
However, he would still be well short of Bjorn Borg's overall record of 41.