Roddick Takes Wildcard into Winston-Salem Open

More reason to go to Winston-Salem this summer.

Andy Roddick has joined the list of commitments to play in the Winston-Salem Open at Wake Forest University Aug. 20-27, tournament director Bill Oakes announced today.

Roddick, a former World No. 1 who is currently No. 12 in the South African Airways ATP rankings, will receive one of the tournament’s four wildcard entries.

"We are extremely pleased that Andy has decided to come back to Winston-Salem, where he has had so much success in the past playing for the United States in the Davis Cup," Oakes said. "His addition gives the tournament all the top American players and makes an already-strong field even stronger."

"It’s very important to note that Andy has never competed in a tournament the week prior to the U.S. Open throughout his entire professional career," Oakes added. "So, it’s very significant that he made the commitment to play in the Winston-Salem Open, given the timing of our tournament just before the U.S. Open."

As of now, 10 of the top 40 players in the latest South African Airways ATP rankings have committed. Other entrants include Jurgen Melzer, Bernard Tomic, Kevin Anderson, Marcos Baghdatis, Alexandr Dolgopolov, Nikolay Davydenko, Tommy Robredo and Ernests Gulbis, the winner last week in Los Angeles.

Roddick, 28, has won at least one ATP World Tour singles titles in each of the last 11 years. He won earlier this year in Memphis.

He has won 30 career ATP World Tour singles titles, including the 2003 US Open title. He won six tournaments in 2003, five in 2005.

Wimbledon Day 5 Match of the Day: The Whole Centre Court Lineup

Gentlemen's Singles - 3rd Round   Feliciano Lopez(ESP) vs.   Andy Roddick(USA)[8]   Ladies' Singles - 3rd Round   Daniela Hantuchova(SVK)[25] vs.   Victoria Azarenka(BLR)[4]   Gentlemen's Singles - 3rd Round   Andy Murray(GBR)[4] vs.   Ivan Ljubicic(CRO)

Update on Thursday, June 23, 2011 at 6:30PM by Rick C.Limpert

The whole Centre Court lineup for Friday looks amazing. 

Predictions:  Roddick, Azarenka and Murray.

Also, don't forget about the continuation of the Ryan Harrison / David Ferrer match that will be completed hopefully on Friday.

Roddick Speaks About Serena's Return

"Well, it's great that she's back," Roddick told reporters after beating Kevin Anderson 6-4 6-4 in the third round of the Queen's Club tournament on Thursday.

"I mean, I think, no disrespect to any of the women that are playing right now, but I think women's tennis needs that dominating figure.

"She hasn't played for a year but I think she still is that personality and, you know, she's certainly going to probably be the top storyline going into Wimbledon."

Serena has four Wimbledon singles titles to her name, one less than sister Venus who is also returning at the Eastbourne warm-up event after being ruled out since the Australian Open with an abdominal injury.
Roddick said despite a chronic lack of match practice Serena is capable of claiming the Wimbledon title this year. The championships begin on June 20.

"I don't think it would shock anybody if she came through and won it again," Roddick said. "It's very smart of her to play a lead-up event, especially after being gone for a year."

Since cutting her foot on broken glass in Munich last year, an injury that required surgery to a lacerated tendon, and then suffering life-threatening blood clots in February, Serena's presence has been missed on the WTA Tour.

Her return will help raise its profile, Roddick said.

"I think I speak for most people in tennis whereas you want her in the game for so many reasons; not only because she wins and she's a great champion, but she brings pop culture to tennis," he said.

Roddick Opens Grass Court Season With a Win

Andy Roddick started his bid for a record fifth title at the Queen's Club with a hard-fought win against Spain's Feliciano Lopez in the second round.

Roddick, who was given a first round bye, showed that his troublesome shoulder seemed to feeling pretty good.

The American had lost in the first round in each of his last three tournaments, with his ranking down to 10th as a result, and he was pushed by the tricky left-hander.

Roddick is a three-time Wimbledon finalist and the third seed needed all of his grass-court savvy to get past Lopez, a tough opponent who defeated Nadal here last year.

After taking the first set in a tie-break, Roddick seemed to plateau, while Lopez picked up his game.

Roddick looked in danger of an early exit when he fell a break down in the final set but he fought back to level the set at 2-2.

Roddick continued to hold and they ended the match with a break to take the victory.

Roddick's third round opponet is still to be decided.

Andy Roddick Wins Memphis ATP With a Diving Passing Shot

Andy Roddick won the ATP 500 event in Memphis tonight with a unbelievable down the line passing shot while in a full stretch dive.

Roddick defeated Milos Raonic of Canada 7-6, 6-7, 7-5.

Raonic said in the post match interview that this shot will be on YouTube for everyone to see.  He was right.