A big server with an American accent turned heads at the Brisbane International on Wednesday – and Andy Roddick was also pretty impressive.
While Roddick showed he was well on track for an assault on the year’s first Grand Slam, Californian-based Australian Carsten Ball made many sit up and take notice on Wednesday – including the top-seeded American.
World No.7 Roddick sounded like a man who dodged a bullet after helping kill off the Australian challenge at the Brisbane International by downing lanky left-hander Ball 7-6(0) 6-3 in the second round.
He booked a quarterfinal clash with Frenchman Richard Gasquet, who knocked out the remaining Australian, South African-born qualifier Matthew Ebden, 6-3 6-4.
While world No.134 Ball may not exactly be a household name in Australia, Roddick hinted that may change if the big-serving 22-year-old with the American twang maintained his momentum.
“I think it is going to be hard for him not to improve as far as his ranking,” Roddick said.
“He can play average tennis for most of the year but if you have a weapon like that [serve] it will certainly help the situation.”
Usually the man who dictates terms with his booming serve, former world No.1 Roddick felt like the tables had been turned when he stared down the wildcard at Pat Rafter Arena.
“He serves huge. His first serve is good, his second serve is great,” he said.
“He reminds me of another Aussie [Wayne] Arthurs.
“I like it when it [big serving] comes from my side – it’s not much fun when that is flipped.”
Australia’s Davis Cup coach Todd Woodbridge also looked suitably impressed as he watched the 198 cm Ball court-side.
Ball – son of former Australian Davis Cup player Syd – clearly tested the former US Open champion and at one stage held a set point in the 10th game.
But unforced errors – and Roddick’s clinical serving – left the Australian ruing his chances.
Roddick, with an incredible first serve percentage of 83, let Ball have a sniff at just one break point.
Yet there was only one service break in the one hour, 19 minute match in the eighth game of the second set, after Roddick dominated the opening tiebreak 7-0.
Ball, who only made his first ATP final last year, said he would “only take positives” from the match.
“It makes me a more confident player … that I was competing and going neck-to-neck with a top 10 player who is also a Grand Slam winner,” he said.
Former world top 10 player Gasquet, in his first ATP tournament since officially being cleared of a positive drug test, admitted to some nerves before playing the little known Ebden but said he would have “nothing to lose” against Roddick.
Earlier, defending champion Radek Stepanek and popular American James Blake survived tough three-setters to win through to the quarterfinals.
Second-seeded Czech Stepanek, 31, had to dig deep to hold out Ukraine qualifier Oleksandr Dolgopolov Jnr – the man who conquered Aussie rising star Bernard Tomic in the first round.
The world No.12 came back twice after being broken consecutively midway through the second set to hold out the 21 year old 5-7 7-6(4) 6-2.
Former world No.4 Blake, now ranked 44th, saved three match points before downing Frenchman Marc Gicquel 6-3 3-6 7-6(6).
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View the full order of play and draws
Men Round 2
8-Thomaz Bellucci (BRA) d Harel Levy (ISR) 6-4 4-6 6-4
1-Andy Roddick (USA) d Carsten Ball (AUS) 7-6(0) 6-3
Richard Gasquet (FRA) d Matthew Ebden (AUS) 6-3 6-4
Wayne Odesnik (USA) d Alejandro Falla (COL) 6-7(8) 6-2 6-1
2-Radek Stepanek (CZE) d Oleksandr Dolgopolov Jr. (UKR) 5-7 7-6(4) 6-2
James Blake (USA) d Marc Gicquel (FRA) 6-3 3-6 7-6(8)
Women Round 2
Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) d Roberta Vinci (ITA) 1-6 6-4 6-1
Lucie Safarova (CZE) d 6-Aleksandra Wozniak (CAN) 6-3 6-1
4-Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) d Agnes Szavay (HUN) 6-3 6-1