Roddick reaches third round at Wimbledon

Published 9:11 am Wednesday, June 23, 2010

WIMBLEDON, England — As the Centre Court crowd applauded Andy Roddick’s latest Wimbledon win, he responded with a grin and a soccer kick, mindful his match ended during England’s crucial World Cup game against Slovenia.

Roddick was happy to be done, and not just so fans could focus on their team. The three-time Wimbledon runner-up dug out of an early hole Wednesday and advanced to the third round by beating Michael Llodra 4-6, 6-4, 6-1, 7-6 (2).

Playing the first match on sun-splashed Centre Court, Roddick hit 25 aces, lost serve just once and committed only 11 unforced errors.

Seeded fifth, Roddick struggled early trying to read Llodra’s serve. He broke for the first time at love in the final game of the second set to even the match, then won five consecutive games in the third set to take control.

Justine Henin also sweated a bit during her second-round match. The seven-time Grand Slam champion twice was broken serving for the victory, then regrouped and beat Kristina Barrois 6-3, 7-5.

Fellow Belgian Kim Clijsters also advanced, beating Karolina Sprem 6-3, 6-2. Clijsters and Henin are both back at Wimbledon after coming out of retirement, and they could meet in the fourth round.

No. 13 Shahar Peer lost to Angelique Kerber 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. No. 11 Marion Bartoli advanced with a walkover against Petra Martic.

Umbrellas were out — not for rain, but as shields from the sun on the hottest day of the tournament. With temperatures heading into the low 80s, the All England Club’s public address announcer advised spectators to make sure they had skin protection, head wear and water.

“All are vital necessities,” he said.

Roddick won his only Grand Slam title with an overpowering serve and forehand at the 2003 U.S. Open, and he’s now a much different player, using a wide variety of shots. He showed the broad repertoire down the stretch against Llodra, feathering a slice forehand for one key winner, hitting a loopy topspin forehand for another and dropping a pinpoint lob in the corner to take the lead for good in the tiebreaker.

Roddick won 34 points at the net and converted all three of his break-point chances. He also erased two break points in the opening game of the second set, a pivotal moment in the match.

Henin built leads of 4-1 in the first set and 5-1 in the second. Serving for the win at 5-2, she double-faulted on consecutive points and lost the game, then lost serve again for 5-all.

But Henin broke back and served out the victory at love. She exhaled in relief after winning the final point against the German.

“I was sometimes too much in a rush to finish, probably because she gave up at that time and my intensity really dropped down,” Henin said. “I had a good reaction to the situation.”

Henin won 21 points at the net and hit 38 winners. She seeks the only major title she has yet to win.

“That remains a dream for me,” she said. “I just see myself as an outsider this year, because I don’t know how I’m going to deal at a very high level. So it’s very hard to predict what could happen, but I really don’t see myself as one of the favorites.”

Seeded 17th, the Belgian is playing at Wimbledon for the first time since 2007. She retired in 2008 and rejoined the tour in January.

Clijsters committed just 13 unforced errors against Sprem and erased the only three break points she faced. The No. 8-seeded Clijsters, who returned from retirement last year, is playing at Wimbledon for the first time since 2006.

She has reached at least the third round at her past 16 Grand Slam tournaments.