London, June 23 (DPA) Andy Roddick kept his focus and reached the third round at Wimbledon Wednesday, while many spectators were also keen to follow England’s simultaneous World Cup football match.
The day was somewhat disappointing for the football fans at the tennis tournament, where a strict football news blackout was imposed inside the tightly guarded grounds.
Three-time finalist Roddick, an American, completed his 4-6, 6-4, 6-1, 7-6 (7-2) defeat of serve-and-volley Frenchman Michael Llodra shortly after England had taken a 1-0 first-half lead in a crucial match in South Africa against Slovenia.
Officials were so afraid of football intruding that they ordered blinds in a ground-level workroom lowered to prevent the public from peeking in at dozens of television screens – most of them showing football.
Roddick, defeated in the 2004, 2005 and 2009 finals by Roger Federer, was pleased to go through after dropping his first set against Llodra.
‘You start over every two days here,’ said the winner. ‘You just survive and try to give yourself a chance.
‘Centre court is an unbelievable place, it’s so nice to get back out there. I was glad to play today, win and get it done.’
Austrian 16th-seed Jurgen Melzer beat Serb Viktor Troicki 6-7 (5-7), 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (8-6), 6-3.
Two-time women’s finalist Justine Henin called upon experience to get out of trouble as she beat German Kristina Barrois 6-3, 7-5.
The former number one, who quit the sport at the top two years ago and returned at the start of 2010, remains in the hunt for the title a week after winning a grass trophy in the Netherlands.
But the cautious Henin, 27, who played Wimbledon finals in 2001 and 2006, said she cannot be counted as a favourite.
‘I just see myself as an outsider this year, a year with ups and downs. I don’t know how I’m going to deal at the very high level. It’s very hard to predict what could happen.
‘I really don’t see myself as one of the favorites. I hope Wimbledon will be a goal for me one day. It’s a dream at the moment.’
Eighth-seeded compatriot Kim Clijsters, another comeback player who also reversed a retirement after having a child, eased past Croatian Karolina Sprem 6-3, 6-2.
‘I’m playing probably my best on grass, compared to even a few years ago,’ said Clijsters. ‘My serve and my returns are going well. That’s the key, I think, on grass. You have to be on target those first few shots.’
The two-time semi-finalist, who won the US Open last year only weeks after making her comeback, was joined as a winner by 11th-seed Marion Bartoli.
The Frenchwoman advanced when Petra Martic retired with an abdominal injury before their match.
German Angelique Kerber scored a minor upset as she put out Israeli 13th-seed Shahar Peer 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.
