Can Roddick get the better of Federer?

Anyone betting on this year’s US Open must surely consider Andy Roddick as a serious contender to reclaim the title he won back in 2003.

Roger Federer may have grabbed the headlines at Wimbledon as he surpassed Pete Sampras’ record of 14 Grand Slam titles, but Roddick won many new fans for his impressive efforts at SW19.

The 26-year-old American outplayed and out-thought an in-form Andy Murray in the semi finals after making it through a testing encounter with a rejuvenated Lleyton Hewitt in the quarters.

When Roddick won his first Grand Slam title on home soil at the US Open back in 2003, many thought that it would be the first of many majors for the American.

It proved not to be the case, as he struggled to overcome the class of Roger Federer, who got the better of him in two consecutive Wimbledon finals in 2004 and 2005.

It became obvious that he needed some kind of boost if he were to start winning majors again. Towards the end of 2008, Roddick brought in new coach Larry Stefanki – a move which has helped Roddick’s game immeasurably.

Before this year’s Wimbledon, many simply regarded Roddick as an average player with an over-reliance on a deadly serve. But the changes that Stefanki has brought to his game have been extremely impressive.

Against Andy Murray at SW19, Roddick mixed his game up with a delightful blend of drop shots and sliced backhands. The constant changes in power upset the Scot’s rhythm and ultimately led to Roddick coming out on top.

And an epic battle in the final against Federer proved just what he has to offer. Looking back at the final, many thought that Roddick deserved to beat the Swiss maestro. And his next chance to get the better of Federer may come in New York.

This year’s final Grand Slam gets underway at the end of August. With Rafael Nadal still on his way back to recovery from injury, backing Roddick to win his second major at Flushing Meadows seems logical. Head over to Betfred if you fancy a bet.