Andy Roddick was completely dominated in every way in the fourth round of Australian Open 2011 on Saturday, falling to Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4. Roddick tossed in just nine aces to Wawrinka’s 24, and the American had 43 less winners than his opponent.
Roddick spoke about the match afterward: “He outplayed me. He handled his balls getting to the court better than mine. He was working the lines really well. He was seeing it big tonight, and he hit it well. I was frustrated. Couldn’t get the rallies to go my way. I was trying to stand up in the court and, I just felt when I adjusted my positioning up in the court he was opening up the lines and making it a shorter line.”
Andy Roddick Continues Decline With Australian Open 2011 Disappointment
For Roddick, this is the fourth major in a row that he has failed to reach the quarterfinals, or better. The last time he advanced past the fourth round of a Grand Slam was Australian Open 2010 a year ago, when he reached the quarters. Since then, he’s reached the fourth round twice, the third once, and was knocked out of last year’s U.S. Open in the second round. It’s certainly a troubling trend for the man who’s been America’s best hope the past decade. And at 28, it’s safe to wonder if Roddick’s career may be winding down.
Wawrinka moves on to face countryman Roger Federer in the quarterfinals. The two won gold in the 2008 Olympics as doubles partners.
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