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Roddick upset by Johansson
Andy Roddick ran into a bold, bigger version of himself at the US Open, and 6-foot-6 Joachim Johansson sent him home.
Andy Roddick ran into a bold, bigger version of himself at the US Open, and 6-foot-6 (2-metre) Joachim Johansson sent the defending champion home.
Roddick was upset 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 2-6, 6-4 on Thursday night by another 22-year-old brandishing a powerful serve and forehand, but also someone who's won just one title, was playing in his first major quarterfinal, and who started the year ranked 113th. Not only that, but Johansson never had played a five-set match before.
Yet there he was, smacking serves at 141 mph, outslugging the American from the baseline during extended exchanges, saving two break points late, and ending the match by breaking Roddick. Far less surprising was Andre Agassi's exit earlier on Thursday.
That's because he was up against No. 1 Roger Federer of Switzerland, who won 6-3, 2-6, 7-5, 3-6, 6-3 in a quarterfinal suspended by rain early in the fourth set the night before and wrapped up in the worst of swirling winds.
It's the first time since 1986 that no American man reached the Open semifinals.
Federer will face No. 5 Tim Henman of Britain, while Johansson, having eliminated the 2003 Open winner, goes up against the 2001 champion, Lleyton Hewitt of Australia - whose sister Jaslyn just happens to be the 28th-seeded Swede's girlfriend. That should make for interesting dinner conversation.
