Roddick Serves Out Nadal

Heads to Dubai semifinals sans coach Jimmy Connors
By Jamie Buss,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 6, 2008 10:26 PM CST
Roddick Serves Out Nadal
U.S. tennis player Andy Roddick gestures after winning against Spain's Rafael Nadal during their quarterfinal match at the Dubai Tennis Championship in Dubai, Thursday, March 6, 2008. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)   (Associated Press)

Andy Roddick advanced to semifinal action at the Dubai Tennis Championships today, upsetting Spaniard Rafael Nadal in straight sets, 7-6 (5), 6-2, reports the AP. The No. 1 American-born player aced his way to victory, serving 17 of them throughout the match. "I knew I was going to hit it well, from the first point," said Roddick.

After the match Roddick announced his coach Jimmy Connors had resigned to spend more time with his family. "I still have the utmost respect for Jimmy and thank him for his time," Roddick said. He credits his former coach with helping improve his backhand and his spirit after losing Wimbledon in 2006. Roddick next faces third-ranked Novak Djokovic in the semifinals. (More tennis stories.)

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