Andy Roddick (USA) vs. Benjamin Becker (GER)
Roddick has moved quietly through the draw, similar to how he did at Indian Wells a couple of weeks ago. He beat Sergiy Stakhovsky in the last round 6-2, 6-1 and seems to have a good draw to the semis. He won this tournament back in 2004 and has been to at least the quarterfinals in each of the last four years.
Becker caught a break when Ivan Ljubicic (Indian Wells champion) retired in the second round and then he upset 18th-seeded Tommy Robredo 1-6, 6-4, 7-6(1) in the third round to advance. He comes into the tournament ranked #39 in the world, which is one spot below his career high of #38 which he achieved back in 2007. This is the first time he has been in the fourth round at Miami.
Match-up:
Roddick is 3-0 against Becker, including a win over him at Washington DC last year. Becker, a former collegiate champion, is probably best known for beating Andre Agassi in his last career match at the 2006 US Open. Well, you know who beat Becker at that US Open, none other than Andy Roddick in the fourth round. Becker has a solid forehand and serve and does a very good job of covering the court. Roddick is playing extremely well and seems to be in complete control of his game. He knows when to attack, he is playing better defensive tennis and his backhand is much improved. You can always count on his serve and forehand and with the American fans behind him he is going to be tough to beat. I look for Roddick to continue moving forward and I believe he will be playing at the end of this week!
Nick’s Pick – Roddick in 2, could go 3