Cabbage-pen fever

Day 5 of the Australian Open 2008 provided us with very good tennis through out the whole day, but it was the night session, where you could really see what a Grand Slam is all about.
It's a mix of drama, unexpected turning points, high-quality tennis and two players fighting like their life would depend on the outcome of the match.
If you'd also add to those factors a five-setter you would get the match of Andy Roddick vs Philip Kohlschreiber as the result. It was a battle royale from the word "go" and it U can saftely say it was the match of the tournament so far!
Both players came into the match having won a tournament prior to the season's first Grand Slam. Roddick won for the third time in a row the exlusive Kooyong exhibition tournament, while the German was victorious in Auckland beating former world no. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero in the final.
"I'm definitely aware of his form so far this year, winning in Auckland and winning his first two matches here. So, you know, I think I'm more concerned with his recent form than the tales of Kohlschreiber since '05."- said the American.
The match started off with both players holding their serves comfortably. It was the ninth game, which prooved to be crucial with Kohlschreiber breaking the Roddick's serve to love and being able to serve out the first set.
The second set was also an affair of one break, which helped the American to level the match at one set all. Roddick must have felt that from now on in, things would get easier for him. None of this seemed to happen as the feisty German seemed to have Roddicks number from the back of the court. The third set, which lasted 66 minutes was filled with drama with both players having the chance of capturing it. The 24 year old from Augsburg was the first to get his chance. At 6/5 he had 2 set points at Roddicks serve, but the cool American managed to escape into the tiebreak. Kohlschreiber didn't have to wait all too long for his next chances to rubber this one up as he got off to a 6/4 lead in the tiebreaker, but he wasn't able to convert on the next set points and everntually giving Roddick his first set point. Both players held their serves up untill 9 all. Then it was the American first to faulter giving Kohlschreiber his sixth set point, which the German was able to convert.
The fourth set was a tence battle, which led the players again to a tiebreak. This time around it was the American, whoi took the initative and was able to sustain the momentum winning it 7/4.
The final set was on and still a little more drama was to come. While the German still had A-Rod's number from the back of the court rumbling the American with giant backhands down the line and passing Roddick on almost every occasion, it was the Americans great serving which held him in the match for so long. It was at 5/4 for the German when the atmosphere reached it's hight. Kohlschreiber had 4 matchpoints, but Roddicks serve came to his rescue. A-Rod saved three of them by serving aces with one of them setting a new record. Australian Open fans never befre had witnessed a 237km/h serve.
As Roddick was able to level up the match at 5 all, the crowd became ecstatic. It was 2 p.m. and many fans started thinking if we were in for a repeat of the Roddick - El Aynaoui quarterfinal of 2002 which ended up with 21-19 in the decider.
Both players held their serves untill 7-6, where it was again the American, who struggled showing signs of mental tiredness when often choosing wrong shots and finally handling the match to the German at his 5th match point.
During the match the players have set some records for themselves. Roddick, apart bettering his own serve-speed record at Australian Open, managed to fire 42 aces, what also wasthe best he has ever done. Kohlschreiber on the other hand hit 104 winners, what in comparison to his 33 unforced errors, prooved to be the best he has ever done.
"Just amazing, to start the year like this and beating such a good guy is the best thing that has happened to me in tennis," Kohlschreiber said also mentioning he still was looking forward to make a couple more rounds.

~jachal