Roddick Out of Rome http://www.andyroddick.com/1820/roddick-out-of-rome/ May 12th, 2006 03:41 pm Andy Roddick’s fine run in Rome ended tonight at the hands of French teenager Gael Monfils. Struggling with a shoulder injury, Andy succumbed to a 6-2, 6-3 defeat. Monfils, who enjoyed an evening of outstanding tennis, took an early break from the American to establish a 2-1 lead. Andy had a chance to break back as he produced a 0-40 advantage, but strong serving from the 6’4” Frenchman saw him out of trouble. Andy tried to mix up his game with some serve and volleying, but two stunning forehands from Monfils gave the Parisian a second break and a 4-1 lead. At the sit down, Andy, troubled by a shoulder injury called for the ATP trainer. He explained to Bill Norris that “I can’t roll it. It’s feeling worse than it did yesterday.” Placing a cap backwards on his head, a determined and gritty Andy Roddick worked hard in the rallies and produced some powerful ground strokes to earn one break of serve back. Hampered by the damp conditions which aggravated his shoulder, Andy struggled with his own serve and Monfils immediately recaptured the double break. Serving out the set to love, Monfils stamped his dominance on the quarterfinal. Monfils carried his advantage and momentum into the second set and set himself up with an early break. In a bid to stay in touch with the fired up Frenchman, Andy mixed up his play, throwing in some drop shots to hold serve. At 4-2 Monfils produced more brilliance with a backhand pass to help secure a double break. With Monfils serving for the match, a gutsy Andy Roddick, compensating for his shoulder, played some solid and punishing backhands to keep himself in the rallies. Although able to briefly halt the young French star, Andy could not deny Monfils a well earned victory as he claimed the match 6-3. -- "I'm not trying to hide from Federer. The more we play, THE BETTER." -Ivan Ljubicic --

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