Friday, July 4, 2003
Roddick on brink of first major final
Faces Federer in semis today
The Associated Press
WIMBLEDON, England - Andy Roddick remembers when he was 6 or 7, at home in Florida watching Wimbledon telecasts of matches on Centre Court between Boris Becker and Stefan Edberg.
Becker and Edberg have retired, but Centre Court is still there. And today, Roddick will be, too, playing in his first Wimbledon semifinal.
"It's weird to think that there's some 9-year-old kid out there getting excited to wake up early and eat bacon and eggs and watch," Roddick said. "It's pretty cool."
Roddick and his opponent, Roger Federer of Switzerland, are youngsters long touted as future Grand Slam champions. Now each is on the verge of his first major final.
"It's a great chance for both of us," said Federer, 21.
The No. 5-seeded Roddick, 20, advanced to his second major semifinal of the year by beating unseeded Jonas Bjorkman 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 on Thursday. Federer, seeded fourth, beat No. 8 Sjeng Schalken 6-3, 6-4, 6-4.
The other semifinal will match unseeded Mark Philippoussis against No. 13 Sebastien Grosjean.
Philippoussis hit 34 aces - raising his tournament total to 153 - and rallied past Alexander Popp 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 8-6. Grosjean disappointed British fans by beating Tim Henman 7-6 (8), 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. Both matches took two days to complete because of rain.
Henman was trying to become the first Englishman to win Wimbledon since 1936.
"Perhaps my chances are getting less," said Henman, 28. "It won't stop me from coming back and trying."
Wimbledon on TV
Today
Men's semifinals: Sebastien Grosjean vs. Mark Philippoussis, 8 a.m., ESPN; Andy Roddick vs. Roger Federer, noon, ch. 5, 22.
Saturday
Women's final: Venus Williams vs. Serena Williams, 9 a.m., ch. 5, 22.
REDS
Friday Game: Mets 7, Reds 2
VOTE: Which Red most deserves to make All-Star team
Thursday Game: Pirates 8, Reds 7
Two Louisville pitchers walk out; top pick Wagner moved up
Reds notebook: Olmedo's hit streak stalls
MORE BASEBALL
Zito's arm propels A's over Mariners
HR-hitting Cards avoid Giant sweep
Williams could be one week from return
A great Yankee memory was born on 4th of July
DAUGHERTY COLUMN
Every day is a victory for Casey McAlister
GOLF
Local caddy gets to carry Tiger's clubs
Tiger ties record, takes Western lead
McKay surges atop Open leaderboard
WIMBLEDON
Roddick on brink of first major final
It's a day of pain, gain for injured Venus
NBA
James, Cavs reach deal on $12.96 million contract
TOUR DE FRANCE
Armstrong says Tour is anyone's race
Lance eschews jersey
AUTO RACING
Park rumbles to Pepsi 400 pole
OTHER SPORTS
Lawyer not convinced of Baylor shooting
Friday's sports on TV, radio