Kohlschreiber ousts Roddick in Cincinnati

Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber came back from a break and a set down to take out Andy Roddick in the first round in Cincinnati. Popular American Andy Roddick lost his grip on the match and his temper to lose in 3 sets to Philipp Kohlschreiber. The American served beautifully for the majority of 2 sets. Roddick’s service games were comfortable, with his booming first serve clicking almost immediately. Kohlschreiber was able to stave Roddick off on his own service games, but the American was more impressive in the tiebreaker.

Roddick continued to play well into the second set. The American went a break up in the second set, but at 4-2, Roddick’s serve deserted him and Kohlschreiber. To make matter worse for the American, when Kohlschreiber earned his first set point at 5-6, Roddick threw in a double-fault.

Most of the drama unfolded in the third set. Roddick, having already received a warning for smashing his racket, lost the point at 30-30 on an error. In frustration, the American swatted the ball up into the stands. Chair umpire Carlos Bernardes immediately gave Roddick a point penalty. As the game was at 30-40, the penalty cost Roddick a service break.

For the rest of the match, Roddick argued with Bernardes on each changeover, but the wheels had come off his game completely. He won just 1 game in the set.

The win sets up a second round encounter for Kohlschreiber with Feliciano Lopez.