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By Tennis Now Staff

Andy Roddick reaches the fourth round of the 2012 U.S. Open (September 2, 2012) -- Andy Roddick defeated Italy's Fabio Fognini 7-5, 7-6, 4-6, 6-4 to advance to the round of 16 of the 2012 U.S. Open in New York. Roddick will face Juan Martin del Potro in the quarters.

Roddick announced that he will be retiring from the ATP Tour at the conclusion of the U.S. Open. He made his announcement this past Thursday, between his first- and second-round matches.

RODDICK CONTINUES SENTIMENTAL RUN

By Erik Gudris

Though Fabio Fognini may have looked the part, he wasn't quite able to play the part of bad guy as part of Andy Roddick's farewell U.S. Open.

Though Roddick was a favorite heading into his third round match against the Italian Fognini having beaten him earlier this year at Eastbourne, it wasn't a given that Roddick would dominate the match despite having the first support of the crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium behind him.

Roddick took an early 2-0 lead in the first set after Fognini netted a backhand. But despite Roddick looking like he would take the set with ease, it was the Italian who raised his game to force a backhand error from Roddick, leveling the set at 5-all. But Roddick got some help from the Italian as he hit a tight forehand into the net to give Roddick the set, 7-5.

Despite having chances to take the second set easily, Roddick was pushed into a tiebreak and it was there he finally took command as hit a forehand pass to go up 2-1 and then several trademark aces to allow him to take a two-sets-to-love lead.

But Fognini didn't fade away as might have been expected. The Italian stayed close with Roddick who appeared to be tiring while the Italian looked fresher despite being down in the match. After having three set points on Roddick's serve, Fognini finally converted with help from a blown forehand volley from Roddick.

Roddick broke right away to start the fourth set, but Fognini responded with a break of his own to level things at 1-all. Even with Fognini raising his game, it was Roddick's serve that kept him close. Roddick hit his ninth ace for 3-all and then put the pressure on Fognini with a backhand passing shot to go up 4-3.

From there Roddick held easily for 5-3 and though Fognini did the same to force Roddick to serve for it at 5-4, with the crowd willing him on it was no problem for Roddick who served a final ace to close out a 7-5, 7-6(1), 4-6, 6-4 win to reach the fourth round.

Afterwards when speaking to Chris Wragge of CBS, Roddick said, "I didn't expect all the support (from the players) It's been humbling." When asked if he won the title would he still hang up his racquets, Roddick responded, "Yeah. It would be a hell of an ending."

Roddick takes on Juan Martin Del Potro in the next round.

(Photo Credit: Andy Kentla)

 

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