The playersAndy Roddick and Leander Paes
- Andy Roddick. America’s next great hope, future world #1
Andy Roddick was born in 1982. He was one of the most promising players of his generation and the 2000 World Champion as a teenager. That same year, he received his first ATP ranking in March, and by the end of the year he was already number 156, after reaching the quarterfinals in Washington as world number 596, only to lose to world number 1 Andre Agassi (6-4, 6-4). He entered the top 100 in April 2001 after reaching the quarterfinals in Miami, beating former world No. 1s Marcelo Rios (6-4, 6-1) and Pete Sampras (7-6, 6-3) on his way.
He soon won his first two titles in a row, the first in Atlanta, defeating Javier Malis (6-2, 6-3) in the final, and the second in Houston, where he defeated Hyeong-taek Lee (7-5, 6-3). In August, he defeated world No. 1 Gustavo Kuerten (6-7, 6-4, 6-2), and after winning the third tournament in Washington, he recorded his first major Grand Slam result at the US Open, where he reached the quarterfinals (lost to Lleyton Hewitt, 6-7, 6-3, 6-4, 3-4, 6). In October 2001, he was already 15 years oldtook third place player in the world.
- Leander Paes. Former Indian Olympic medalist; double star
Leander Paes, from India, was born in 1973. Both his parents were involved in sports at a high level. his mother was a member of the Indian basketball team and his father played for the national hockey team. Leander took up tennis, and in 1990 he became the junior world No. 1 after winning Wimbledon. He turned pro in 1991, but despite his promising results as a junior, he didn’t break into the top 100 until 1998. That year, he won his only ATP title on Newport grass, defeating Neville Godwin (6-3, 6-2) in the final.
In 1996, however, the world-ranked 126th Indian managed to win the bronze medal at the Atlanta Olympics, defeating Fernando Meligen (3-6, 6-2, 6-4) in the medal match. Paes was more successful in doubles, where he reached world No. 1, winning 22 titles, including Roland Garros (1998, 2001) and Wimbledon (2001), partnering India’s Mahesh Bhupathi. She also won mixed doubles at Wimbledon in 1999, partnering Lisa Raymond. In October 2001, he was ranked 18th in doubles, but in singles, he almost stopped competing and was only ranked 232nd in the world.
The place: LJVM Coliseum, Winston Salem, North Carolina
The 2001 Davis Cup World Group Qualifier between the United States and India was played in Winston Salem, North Carolina at the LJVM Coliseum, a multi-purpose venue with a capacity of 14,000. Introduced in 1989, it was the Wake Forest University men’s and women’s basketball teams.
The factsRoddick saves USA in World Group playoffs
In 2001, the United States found themselves playing in World Group qualifying after losing in the first round to Switzerland, led by rising star Roger Federer. The playoff against India was being held in Winston-Salem, and the American team, led by its new captain Patrick McEnroe, was a heavy favorite.
On the first day, young Andy Roddick, world No. 15, beat world No. 738 Kharsh Mankad (6-3, 6-4, 6-1) and James Blake, who just broke into the top 100, defeated Leander Paes (No. 232), 7-5, 6-3, 6-3.
On Saturday, Paes and his regular partner Mahesh Bhupathi, who won Wimbledon a few months ago, proved their worth by beating Jared Palmer and Donald Johnson (6-4, 1-6, 6-3, 7-6).
On Sunday, Roddick had a chance to seal his team’s victory against Paes. With his recent results and tremendous delivery, the young American was the favourite, but Payes was not to be counted out when playing under the Indian flag. After all, although he never rose above 73rd in the world, he won a bronze medal against all odds at the 1996 Olympics, and in 1993, in a Davis Cup match against France, he upset Henri Leconte.
The Indian doubles specialist knew he couldn’t match Roddick from the baseline, so he decided to chip in and charge from the first points. This constant pressure in the first set bothered the young star and Paes took the first set 6-4. Then, spurred on by his captain, the American found his pace, sharpened his passing shots and outplayed his opponent. Roddick won in four sets (4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 7-5). For the first time in his career, he sealed a Davis Cup victory for the United States.
“Andy just hit too much speed for me,” Pace said. according to The New York Times. “It was difficult to cover the court against such power.”
“Leander rushed me and made my second serve look childish at first,” Roddick said. “It’s one thing when you win a big game and your coach, your parents are happy, but it’s another thing when you play in a whole stadium and when you play for your country, you play for a lot of people and it makes it a little bit more emotional.”
What next?Roddick wins US Open, hits No. 1; Paez adds to the dual titles
Roddick would continue to rise until 2003, when he won the World No. 1 at the US Open, defeating Spain’s Juan Carlos Ferrero in the final (6-3, 7-6, 6-3). With the rise of Roger Federer as the tour’s new leader, however, he would not enjoy the No. 1 spot for long.
Paes will soon stop competing in singles and focus on doubles. At the end of his career in 2020, he will have an impressive number of eight Grand Slam doubles crowns and 10 in mixed doubles.
