Roddick Serves Big to Advance as Melzer Melts
Andy Roddick used his big serve to overcome Austrian Juergen Melzer 7-6 7-6 4-6 6-3 to reach the fourth round of Wimbledon on Saturday.
The first two sets went with serve but each time the American sixth seed kept his cool in the tiebreak.
Melzer, the 26th seed, broke for 3-2 in the third and gave himself three set points with a beautiful lob, sealing the set with a crosscourt forehand that Roddick did not even move for.
With rain clouds gathering above Centre Court, Roddick made sure the match did not go into a decider and secured victory with his 33rd ace of the match.
The American, runner-up in 2004 and 2005, will face Czech 20th seed Tomas Berdych for a place in the quarter-finals.
American Teenager Oudin Lives the Dream
As a child, Melanie Oudin sat transfixed in front of the television watching Venus and Serena Williams battling at Wimbledon.
Now the vivacious teenager is living her own dream on the greatest stage in tennis after knocking out sixth seed Jelena Jankovic to take her place in the last 16 at Wimbledon.
Bubbling with enthusiasm, she said "It's unbelievable."
"The fourth round at Wimbledon, I definitely did not see that coming," added the 17-year-old after fighting through three rounds of the qualifying tournament just to get to Wimbledon.
She now faces Poland's number 11 seed Agnieszka Radwanska for a place in the quarter-finals.
Under the media spotlight for the first time in her short career, Oudin was bombarded with questions about what first inspired her, who first got her to hold a racket.
Venus, Serena and Grandma," she replied.
Very Supportive
"When I was seven, when I started playing tennis, I saw Venus and Serena playing here and I was like, 'Mom, I really, really want to play there one day'," Oudin said.
"She said, 'Go for it'. My parents have always been very supportive," added Oudin.
Melanie and her twin sister were introduced to tennis by their grandmother.
"My grandma actually started my sister and I a long time ago, so that's pretty cool," she said.
"I started at our neighbourhood courts (Charleston Forge in Marietta, Georgia) ... We played Australian doubles, my sister and I, against her. It was so much fun."
Oudin, playing in only her third grand slam event, is certainly not lacking in self-belief.
"My goal has always been since I was little to become number one in the world one day. It's gonna take a lot more work and, you know, I'm gonna have to get better and better. But I'm willing to work on it."
Venus Williams, five times a Wimbledon champion, was full of praise for the effervescent teenager, calling her "super nice. Just so enthusiastic about tennis and about life, enjoying herself. Very well adjusted."
Top Seed Safina Sweeps Into Last 16
World number one Dinara Safina sailed into the second week at Wimbledon for the first time on Saturday, defeating Belgium's Kirsten Flipkens 7-5 6-1.
The Russian, three times a grand slam runner-up but never a winner, had a fight on her hands in the opening set of the third round match but overwhelmed the world number 110 in the second.
With thunder rumbling overhead, Flipkens got her only set point at 5-4 in the first which she squandered. Safina finally broke in the 11th game and served out to take a 1-0 lead.
The Russian went into overdrive as the heavens threatened to open on the new number two show court but the rain just held off and she swept to an easy 6-1 second set clincher.
Safina next faces 17th seed and former champion Amelie Mauresmo of France for a place in the quarter-finals.
