Rusedski v Roddick - Live!

Preamble Greg Rusedski's managed one win in four over Andy Roddick and is currently "between trainers" (and we're not talking footwear). See how he gets on in their second round meeting just as soon as it starts... any time after 9.30am is all we've been given thus far, but it should be in about an hour's time. Possibly. It all depends how quickly Alicia Molik disposes of Nakamura in the ladies competition you see.

Yet more in what could be a long line of preamble Molik is making hard work of her match against Nakamura (it's currently 6-2, 4-3), but if she can at last break the Japanese, we should be in for some rootin' tootin' gen-u-ine Brit fun with Greg Rusedski fairly soon. I'd stake my life(size model of Pete Beale) on it.

Hurrah! Molik finally wins through, so Greg and Andy should be making a last visit to the gents before appearing on court.

Prematch shenanigans "Talking of life-size models," says Tammy Mattinson. "We've just had one of Anna Kournikova implanted into our office, which I don't think any of the male members of our department would be willing to bet on anything let alone a Rusedski upset! I am tempted however to upset them all though by posting it on eBay...any takers?" Yep, that'll be the gentle creaking of the floodgates opening. Form an orderly queue gentlemen.

Almost there... They're on court warming up, so it's officially time to down tools and nudge the pile of paperwork nicely into place between you and the big office. Eurosport are speculating as to consequences should Greg win here, but I don't think any cats or pigeons'll be breaking out the party poppers just yet.

First set: Rusedski 0* - 1 Roddick Top serving from Greg with an ace and an unreturnable bullet down the centre to open up. He doesn't look entirely comfortable at the net though, and Roddick pulls off a lovely backhand pass to make things interesting - he's broken poor Greg already.

First set: Rusedski 0 - 2* Roddick Rusedski fends off the fierce Roddick serve with all the success of an old lady trying to dodge fire from several machine guns. Gulp.

First set: Rusedski 0* - 3 Roddick It's not just the net Rusedski isn't too hot at - he stayed back there and still rattled a backhand straight into the net. And I've just noticed he's sporting the hair accessory of choice among the likes of David Beckham (circa 2002) and Ronnie O'Sullivan. He wears it a bit better than Ronnie, mind. Just.

First set: Rusedski 0 - 4* Roddick (after 10 minutes, people!) Still no offers on that cut-out of Kournikova, and if the match carries on like this, there won't be long to get them in. Rusedski's working hard out there, but Roddick's distribution is delightful, and even when he gets there Greg's over or under hitting as only he sees fit. Another game to the American, who looks almost embarrassed by how easy he's having it.

First set: Rusedski 0* - 5 Roddick Presented with an easy backhand volley (which Roddick makes no move for), Greg nudges it wide, and is shortly outfoxed by a sublime cross court backhand from Roddick. Rusedski's mental notebook must read something along the lines of: "Baseline play, not really happening. Serve-volley, oh bugger. Running. Out. Of. Options.

Roddick wins first set 6-0 Absolutely beautiful backhand from Rusedski for 0-15, just when you thought there wouldn't be another point in it for him. Roddick is in invincible form though, finding the line with inconceivable ease, and that's the first set.

Roddick leads 6-0, 0 - 1* Greg's trying to put some aggression into his game with moderate success, managing his first volley winner before firing off an ace to take his first service game. Hurrah.

Roddick leads 6-0, 1* - 1 Roddick is leaping onto Rusedski's returns like a wildcat, sending balls fizzing up off the court. He won that in a matter of seconds.

Roddick leads 6-0, 1 - 2* "Come on Greg" shout a few brave Brits. "Come on Henman" shout some hilarious Americans. Whoever Roddick's opponent is, his serve's gone off the boil somewhat, allowing Roddick in at him. It makes for some decent rallies, mind, and Rusedski falters to another service game held.

Roddick leads 6-0, 2* - 2 "May be dangerous, but I'm going to assume that Roddick gets through this one," says Tom Hopkins. "Given that, does he look good enough on this form to give Federer a game or is the final going to be another walkover?" On his day I think Roddick will always give anyone a game, but you have to look at Federer and wonder if there's anyone in the tournament who's a genuine contender. That said, Inspector Gadget couldn't reach some of the serves Roddick's pelted over this morning.

Roddick leads 6-0, 2 - 3* Second double fault from Greg, who is immediately miffed by a line call on Roddick's return. It looks like it did catch the back of the baseline, but he's having none of it. Could another four-letter tirade be on the way? Let's hope so, eh? In the name of entertainment, you understand. Great half-volley to take the game for Greg, incidentally.

Roddick leads 6-0, 3 - 4* Apologies for the missed game there, I'd love to blame technical difficulties, so I will. Meanwhile Greg's successfully held another game. Super.

Roddick leads 6-0, 3* - 5 Roddick drops a backhand lazily into the net and there's talk of Rusedski sneaking a break - and it's not idle talk either! A fantastic rally ends with Rusedski volleying superbly for three break points... to which Roddick responds by middling a 135mph serve, the cheeky blighter. Greg gets his break with an iffy double fault and he's serving for the set.

"I bid £10 for the Anna figure, and did I mention I've played 'future of British tennis' Andy Murray a few times?" says Andy Hunter. That's set the ball rolling then. Anything better? Bids and namedropping accepted.

Roddick won first set 6-0, Rusedski takes second 6-3 At the risk of sounding like an annoyingly over-optimistic Brit, it's Rusedski who's on the up and Roddick looks rattled when confronted with three set points. Greg takes it with an outswinging ace. Woohoo! Rule Britannia! Erm... God save the Queen!

One set each, third set: Roddick 1* - 0 Another backhand straight out of the top drawer from Rusedski, absolutely wonderful. Just when I was thinking that Roddick always had a decent serve up his sleeve, Rusedski returns it and the American lummies it wide. No break though, the ace eventually has it.

"I hit Ian Botham's son for a four and a six in consecutive balls in a school match once!" says Barry MacDonald, all atremble.


One set each, third set: Roddick 1 - 1* Steve Wood wants me to commentate on every point, and just as soon as that is humanly or indeed technologically possible, I'll get back to you. In the meantime, Rusedski is flying around the court, teeth gritted, doing the unthinkable and making Roddick look infinitely beatable. Before I even have time to regret saying that Greg pokes a volley out of court and can only watch a Roddick backhand pass. Ah, once again, the ace has it. Another service game held.


One set each, third set: Roddick 2* - 1 You know when someone puts their tongue between their front teeth and grimaces that they mean business, and that's exactly the look on Roddick's face at the moment. Doesn't quite manage the game to love thanks to some good forehand work from Greg, but does at least win the game thanks to some poor forehand work from Greg.

One set each, third set: Roddick 2 - 2* Great backhand volley from Rusedski proves he can take the nice touches, but it's his serve that's starting to make the difference. A couple more aces.

"Andy Hunter - £10? You cannot be serious?! If I'm to smuggle Anna out under cover of night and steal company property, I'm not accepting anything under £100" - Tammy Mattinson, still open to offers, it seems.

One set each, third set: Roddick 3* - 2 Greg starts things off with a well-judged passing shot on the outside but Roddick pulls off a top volley on the run and ace No6 to fend off the Brit's challenge.

One set each, third set: Roddick 4 - 2* Unbelievable - Rusedski hammers a serve over at 131mph and Roddick flicks it back over the net without even trying. He's on the verge of breaking thanks to a net cord before Rusedski heaves and sweats his way back to deuce... then Greg's undone by another net cord! He's really unlucky to drop that game.

"Seems like my theories of Greg having a rubbish backhand, and never breaking serve, are up in smoke," says Andy Hunter. "And yes Andy Murray did thrash me off the court."

One set each, third set: Roddick 5* - 2 Easy game to love for Roddick. Incidentally, anyone who employs one Tom Chivers may like to know he's bored and hungover. There must be some filing for him to do, surely?

One set each, third set: Roddick 6 - 2* Superbly judged lob return from Andy Roddick to set up another break, which he consolidates with a dropping forehand that has Greg craning around at the net with all the agility of a Saga bus tour. Third set goes to the American.

Roddick leads 6-0, 3-6, 6-2, fourth set 1* - 0 I think Roddick may well be on the home straight here, slamming home his eighth and ninth aces with virtual disdain.

"Has anyone got a life-sized model of Greg's dopey girlfriend (fiancee? wife?) Lucy?" asks David Slovak. "I broke my punchbag last night." Harsh, but arguably fair.

Roddick leads 6-0, 3-6, 6-2, fourth set 2 - 0* Another double fault from Rusedski (that's three now, if you're counting), and I'm not sure a gruffly shouted "Come on" is his best tactic - especially faced with a fantastic whipped forehand straight down the line. He struggles to deuce, but a couple of sublime backhands from Roddick spell the end, methinks.

"Thankfully, we don't have a life size Anna Kournikova model in our office, just a huge Johnny Depp cutout," says Marie Anderson. "But I was given a "Men in Uniforms" calendar by my office secret santa, which lies still shrinkwrapped in my desk drawer. I'd happily give it away to anyone who wants it!!" I don't fancy your chances Marie, but who knows.

Roddick leads 6-0, 3-6, 6-2, fourth set 3* - 0 Andy Roddick's firing on all cylinders now, while poor Greg appears to have stopped moving.

Roddick leads 6-0, 3-6, 6-2, fourth set 3 - 1* Greg's still got a few decent serves in the bank, and he picks up a point with some nicely placed work at the net, but he's probably only delaying the inevitable.

Steve Wood, he of point-by-point coverage, wants diagrams instead. I think I can propose a far better use of a sharpened pencil and compass.

Roddick leads 6-0, 3-6, 6-2, fourth set 4* - 1 He may not be known for his backhand but Rusedski had Roddick fumbling the ball into his own body there. Before you could utter "tide" and "turning", mind, he was back at 40-15 with a thundering serve. Game Roddick.

Roddick leads 6-0, 3-6, 6-2, fourth set 4 - 2* Lucy Rusedski finished that last game with her face in her hands, but I'm sure Greg knew she was cheering "Go Greg!" inside. Dinky little drop volley and huge serve hold off Roddick for another few minutes...

Roddick leads 6-0, 3-6, 6-2, fourth set 5* - 2"I think it is that time in the game when us Brits can once again declare Greg to be a big chinned Canadian loser," says Des Denning. I wouldn't dream of i - well don't just come clattering into the net willy nilly you useless big-chinned Canadian loser!

Roddick leads 6-0, 3-6, 6-2, fourth set 5 - 3* Ace, wonderful long forehand to wrong foot Roddick, Rusedski starts well, and after another double fault, he slams down an attempted lob. Could he? Nah, probably not.

Roddick wins 6-0, 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 A looping forehand heading for the ballboys from Rusedski and it's all over, game to love for Roddick. And no, before you ask, I still wouldn't back him to beat Federer. And don't pretend you would. Thanks for all your emails, sorry I couldn't use them all.