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| The former No. 1 enters a new stage in his career, one where he’s trying to prove that he still deserves to be mentioned in the same breath with the Big 4: Nadal, Federer, Djokovic and Murray. Last year, the 2003 US Open champion failed to reach a Grand Slam semifinal for the first time since 2002. He also ended the year ranked No. 8, the first time since 2002 he hadn’t finished in the top six. At 26 years, Roddick knew he needed a change and hired Larry Stefanki, who coached Yevgeny Kafelnikov to the 1999 Australian Open title, as his head coach. Whether Stefanki can help Roddick plug up his obvious weaknesses and accentuate his strengths is very much in question, as eight-time Grand Slam champion Jimmy Connors failed to do so in his recent stint with the American. | Back in 2002 when he reached the Wimbledon semis and nearly toppled David Nalbandian, the flashy Belgian was considered a true comer. But he’s never lived up to his ability, admittedly not working hard enough at times and depending too much on his natural ability. A substantial right wrist injury also dampened his prospects. Now 28 and re-committed, Malisse is attempting to give his career one final push. | |
| After an injury-riddled fall, Roddick was thrilled to have a fresh start in 2009 and reached the Doha final, powering past Gael Monfils before falling to Murray. The seventh seed clubbed Bjorn Rehnquist 6-0 6-2 6-2 in the first round. | Malisse qualified in Sydney and qualified here, which shows he’s again willing to put in the hard work, even on the back courts. That makes him extremely dangerous. | |
| Since he roared on the tour in 2001, Roddick’s strengths have remained much the same -- one of the world’s fastest serves, a heavy forehand and never-say die competitiveness. The brash Texan loves to fight. However, his weaknesses are obvious – a virtually powerless two-handed backhand, an often-soft return of serve and relatively slow lateral movement. He’s improved his volleying a great deal, but still lacks the instincts of a great net rusher and often watches passing shots whiz past him without even moving. Still, he’s an extremely hard worker and if he can keep attacking, get his confidence back on his forehand and intelligently rush the net rather than be baited in, he could be a real factor at the tournament. | When he’s on, Malisse is a gorgeous shot-maker from the baseline, with a quick-fisted, two-handed backhand and a hammer of a forehand. He’s improved his serve a bit and is a dangerous returner. It’s his mental toughness that’s always been in question. | |
| Against a flashy player like Malisse, Roddick has to weather the mini-storms, blind the Belgian with his serve, make use of his forehand and mix it up off his backhand side, employing as many deft slices as possible. Malisse likes to win pretty, so Roddick has to try and win ugly, taking the enjoyment out of the contest with short, choppy points. | He’s never been able to figure Roddick out, perhaps because he can’t read his serve and maybe because he’s a bit intimidated by him. In order to beat Roddick, players have to go to the forehand in order to open up to his backhand and make sure to take care of their own service games, as when the American is on, he’s nearly impossible to break. Malisse most show the fortitude to go the distance and indicate to Roddick that he believes that he can pull off an upset. | |
| Roddick is in a true ownership position here, owning a 7-0 record against the Belgian and only dropping two sets, at 2002 Memphis and the 2003 US Open. | They haven’t played in more than five years, but Roddick’s 5-0 record on hardcourts still stands tall. |
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