American tennis is making a comeback. Well, sort of. No American men reached the second week of Wimbledon this summer, but four made it to the round of 16 in the U.S. Open — Andy Roddick, Mardy Fish, John Isner and youngster Donald Young. It’s the first time since 2003 that so many Americans were still around.
Considering that only a week ago U.S. tennis players were under the same intense criticism that tends to precede the Open every year, it’s certainly a sign of progress.
Fish and Young lost, but Roddick and Isner picked up big-time victories Thursday — Roddick upset fifth-seeded David Ferrer in four sets, and Isner won three tiebreakers to top Frenchman Gilles Simon. It’s the first time since 2008 that two U.S. players reached the quarterfinals. Neither gets an easy matchup next. Roddick will face defending champ Rafael Nadal, while Isner will face No. 4 Andy Murray.
To say U.S. tennis is back is a bit farfetched. Still, this small breakthrough signifies a step in the right direction.
– Scott Gleeson
