Federer Seeks 15th Slam Vs. Roddick at Wimbledon

Serena Williams of U.S. throws her racquet into the air, during her women's singles semifinal against Elena Dementieva of Russia, on the Centre Court at Wimbledon, Thursday, July 2, 2009. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

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Roddick joked beforehand he'd be pretending that all those shouts of "Come on, Andy!" were for him, but he was outsmarted: Instead of the usual first-name cheers, the crowd yelled support for their man "Murray!"

Didn't matter. Roddick was too good on the most important points and that made the difference on a day Murray compiled more aces (25-21), more winners (76-64) and fewer unforced errors (20-24). Roddick won far more points at the net, 48-15, and put in a far higher percentage of first serves, 75-52, while hitting much harder than Murray, reaching a tournament-high 143 mph.

"If he serves like that," Murray said, "he's got a chance against anyone."

There was only one break point in the first set, and it came with Murray serving while trailing 5-4. Murray went ahead 30-love, but Roddick took the next four points, showing off some of the newfound versatility in his game. He got to break point with a drop-shot winner on a 10-stroke exchange. And he ended the set with a booming backhand down the line that forced Murray into a forehand error on the point's 17th stroke.

The stands were close to silent, and it was clear Murray needed to do something to get the fans — and himself — going. He did just that, breaking Roddick at love to open the second set, then holding with the help of three aces in a row to go up 2-0.

After serving out that set, Murray was on the verge of beginning the third the exact same way. But Roddick saved three break points to hold for 1-0.

"You're probably not going to get out of a love-40 hole too often against a guy who returns like him," Roddick said. "So that was definitely key."

Roddick broke to 3-1, and at 5-2 was two points away from taking the third set. But Murray eventually broke back and, in the tiebreaker, he held a set point at 6-5. On a 13-stroke exchange, Roddick misplayed a forehand volley in such a way that it turned into a winner.