The Resurgence of Roddick

If anyone has lost out from the emergence of the so-called big four its Andy Roddick.

In years gone by, the former US Open winner was the main contender to Roger Federer, even if he was defeated in three Grand Slam finals in as many years.

Roddick said himself he had to start winning some of there encounters to turn the competition between the two any sort of rivalry.

The emergence of Rafael Nadal and latterly Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray has pushed Roddick down the rankings, and further away from the intense rivalry between himself and Federer.

But today he takes on his Swiss nemesis, as he overcame Djokovic in the quarter final, albeit with the Serb retiring in the forth set.

Roddick's problems, along with the emergence of certain players has been the issues surrounding his coaches.

He recently paired up with Larry Stefanki, former coach of Tim Henman, for the new season and it looks as though the new coach's effect has been immediate.

After a difficult period, Stefanki has got a job on his hands to get Roddick back to the top of the men's game, a position he resided in just a few years ago.

Champion

Since 2003 Roddick has been a dominant force in Men's Tennis.

He made the Australian Open and Wimbledon semi-final, and won the US Open in a stunning year for the American.

He also won two of his four Masters titles in what has been his most successful year in his career to date, as he finished the year ranked second in the world.

He has repeated the feat that he did in 2003, by reaching the semi-final, but with Federer the opponent again this could be the end of the road in terms of the tournament for the 26-year old.

With age and talent on his side, who says this year can't repeat that of 2003 as he attempts to re-assert himself on the world stage of men's tennis.