[Pharmaciest]

2008 best matches - Part 2: Andy Roddick vs. Philipp Kohlschreiber

TennisTalk, throughout the off-season, will recap the ATP's best matches in 2008. Part 2 features another Australian Open classic, this time a high-quality encounter between Andy Roddick and Philipp Kohlschreiber.

In terms of quality, the third-round clash featuring Andy Roddick and Philipp Kohlschreber was second to none at the 2008 Australian Open. It might not be remembered like the two other Aussie Open epics because it didn't end at 4:33 in the morning (like Marcos Baghdatis vs. Lleyton Hewitt) and it didn't involve the No. 1 player in the world (Roger Federer, at the time he played Janko Tipsarevic).

Other than that, this one was off the chart.

Literally. Kohlschreiber finished with an absolutely ridiculous 104 winners in his incredible 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (11-9), 6-7 (3-7), 8-6 victory over Roddick that ended after 2 AM the next morning following three hours and 50 minutes of slugfest tennis.

Normally when one plays with the reckless abandon necessary to produce those kinds of shocking winner totals, a host of unforced errors go along with the spectacular moments. Not so for the German. Kohlschreiber committed a mere 33 unforced errors. For those who are counting (and you might want to, since these numbers are nothing short of legendary), that's a mind-boggling 73 more winners than errors.

Kohlschreiber was so good that he made Roddick's stats look merely pedestrian on a day when they normally would have been headline-makers. The American struck 79 winners and fired 42 aces, his best effort ever in the ace department.

"The whole match, the whole game for me was perfect, I think, today," said Kohlschreiber.

"I took his best stuff for five sets and I thought I was going to get him to break or to fold," Roddick explained. "I thought if I kept it on him long enough that that would happen.

"When you decide to be a pro athlete, you're going to have ups, you're going to have downs, you're going to have extreme highs and extreme lows. That's just the nature of the beast," added Roddick, who--five years ago--was on the winning end of one of the most amazing matches in Australian Open history. His 21-19 thriller over Younes El Aynaoui in the 2003 quarterfinals will get some well-deserved recognition of its own around here as the 2009 Aussie Open draws nearer. For now, it's all about Kohlschreiber-Roddick.

"This was an all-out battle," gushed ESPN analyst Luke Jensen. "We didn't see just one player in the zone -- they were both there. Roddick never once in this match decided to take the conservative route. He was throwing screamers at Kohlschreiber, but it wasn't enough. Roddick did not lose this match. Kohlschreiber beat him.

"I don't remember if I have ever seen two guys play so flawlessly."

Could anyone disagree?

http://tennistalk.com/en/news/200811..._Kohlschreiber

[Pharmaciest]

This is going to be a series reviewing ATP matches from 2008. The first in the series was Baghs v. Lleyton. The story for that match can be found at:

http://www.tennistalk.com/en/news/20...Lleyton_Hewitt

[Pharmaciest]

I'll admit to a little bias, but this match (Kohli v. Roddick) will always be a classic in my book. I bought the DVD earlier this year, and have probably rewatched it at least 3 times in full, and have watched the final set alone a few more times.

I think this will probably be the match that, when Philipp's grandchildren say "tell us about your tennis career, granpa", that he'll put on for them to watch. I certainly hope there are a number more of these type moments in his future, but this is certainly a dazzler.

[berdyanskdotsu]

That match was really good. Didn't like the result, but it was good stuff.

Would everyone agree that the Australian was the best tournament of the year?

Actually, let's turn that into a poll...

[RooxiaNof]

That match was really good. Didn't like the result, but it was good stuff.

Would everyone agree that the Australian was the best tournament of the year?

Actually, let's turn that into a poll...

[Nglvayhp]

Highlights of the last game where Philippe breaks Andy.
Kohlschreiber-Roddick final game

[Leczyslaw]

Never liked L Jensen, I think he is clueless most of the time, but he is right on about this match. It was breathtaking stuff, especially from Philipp. I only wished this match was later than 3rd round... even 4th or 1/4 final and it would get FAR more attention than it did.

Now, of course if Philipp could show that kind of tennis more than once a year, he would be ranked slightly higher than he is now...

[johnteriz]

I'll admit to a little bias, but this match (Kohli v. Roddick) will always be a classic in my book. I bought the DVD earlier this year, and have probably rewatched it at least 3 times in full, and have watched the final set alone a few more times.

I think this will probably be the match that, when Philipp's grandchildren say "tell us about your tennis career, granpa", that he'll put on for them to watch. I certainly hope there are a number more of these type moments in his future, but this is certainly a dazzler.

Bought the DVD? Where does one buy DVD's of individual matches?

[enurneAcourdy]

Bought the DVD? Where does one buy DVD's of individual matches?

There's one online store I really like and use a lot. I'll PM you a link later if you'd like.

[Pharmaciest]

Bought the DVD? Where does one buy DVD's of individual matches?

We have a thread somewhere in here with a listing of sites that sell match DVDs Martini. I'm on my way out the door, I'll try to find the link for you later on, though if you do a thread search, you should be able to find it.

[johnteriz]

Thanks guys. I wasn't actually looking to track anything down, it was just a general question in response to Moose's statement that he had this match on DVD. He'd mentioned at the tailgate that he had this match, but I assumed it was just self-taped from TV. Ironically, I still have this match on my PVR--I'll burn it to DVD myself eventually.

I assume from what was said in the other thread that these are not professional productions, but rather just "home businesses", from the mention of vintage commercials.