Foot Fault!

It says a lot about how much attention I’ve been paying this tournament that only just now have I realised that ‘Winston-Salem’ is an actual real place, rather than just the sponsor of the ATP event held this week. But there ya go; you learn something new every day. Down Winston Salem, John Isner yesterday notched up a pretty predctable victory over Andy Roddick 7-6(7) 6-4. He’ll play Julien Benneteau in the final with the rare opportunity to win a title practically in his backyard.

For Roddick, It’s tough to really pass comment on him and his current form. It goes without saying that derailed by injuries and poor health, this is by far his worst season since god knows when. But that’s it - the question is whether this form is an indication that he’s simply in decline and will never again be a threat on the ATP, or else he just needs some time to find his way again before powering back to the top echelons of tennis.

I think next week will answer many of those questions. All things considered, his draw is just about as good as it gets considering how low his seeding has dropped. And if he can find his way into the second week and quarters with a confidence-boosting 5 matches under his belt; maybe, just maybe he’ll find the confidence to start hitting the ball like the Roddick of 18 months ago and stop losing to the likes of Isner and Kohlschreiber? We shall see.