A young Andy Murray had a big chance to make an impression when he took on Andy Roddick in 2006.
The Brit won the first title of his career at the San Jose Open in February of that season, defeating Lleyton Hewitt in three sets.
Six months later, he took on Andy Roddick in the last eight in Ohio, as he tried to win the first Masters 1000 title of his career and build momentum heading into the US Open.
It proved to be a somewhat frosty affair as the two players battled for a spot in the semi-finals against 2008 Olympic silver medalist Fernando Gonzalez.
Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty ImagesDid Andy Murray beat Andy Roddick at the 2006 Cincinnati Masters?
Andy Murray defeated Tim Henman, top seed Roger Federer and America’s Robby Ginepri to reach the Cincinnati Open quarter-finals to face Roddick.
The Brit was just 19 at the time and the odds were stacked against him playing a Grand Slam winner and a former World number one.
Roddick, knowing Murray was young and somewhat fatigued after playing 14th match in 17 days leading up to their contest, tried to psych out his opponent.
In the third game of the first, Murray played a drop shot which Roddick attempted to return by hitting the ball extremely hard in Murray’s direction, but it landed in the net. Murray jumped back and proceeded to take a quick look in Roddick’s direction before walking back to the baseline.
In the following game, Murray responded. Roddick played a drop volley which Murray ran up and he hit his backhand return in the direction of Roddick, who moved out of the way and watched the ball drift long.
Photo by Robert Laberge/Getty Images
Regarding the fiery incidents, one of the commentators on ESPN at the time said: “You can’t intimidate much physically in tennis but there is a lot of mental intimidation. This was at 40-0 and Roddick just tries to hit it [the ball] right at him, Murray gave him a look.
“Then in the next game Murray gets one and goes right at Roddick. Roddick looks right at him and points out to get in Murray’s kitchen a little bit. Plenty of blood brewing here tonight.”
The second commentator added: “You knew there would be sparks. There’s the suspicion Andy Roddick will make this one very personal. He often plays better when he has that kind of a cause and the fact he let go of Brad Gilbert who is now working with Murray, who had good results.
“The fact there is not a very warm relationship between Roddick and Gilbert at this point. And the fact Murray has gotten him twice, beaten him in five straight sets.” The first commentator then responded: “I think that’s a big reason Murray has gotten him. They are both fiery guys. They like to get into it on court. They both like to talk.”
Roddick went on to win the hearted affair 6-3, 6-4, before marching his way to the title with wins over Gonzalez and Juan Carlos Ferrero, who now coaches Carlos Alcaraz.
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty ImagesAndy Murray and Andy Roddick’s 2006 seasons and records under Brad Gilbert
At the time of Murray and Roddick’s Cincinnati Masters match in 2006, Brad Gilbert had started coaching the Brit.
This took place two years after the 63-year-old stopped coaching Roddick. The all-American pair worked together from June 2003 to December 2004.
Roddick’s partnership with Gilbert was successful, as he won 121 matches and lost just 24. He won nine titles during the period, including his biggest one of all, the 2003 US Open.
He also clinched the year-end number one and reached the 2004 Wimbledon final, losing to Roger Federer.
Murray won over 50 matches with Gilbert as his coach and reached a career-high ranking of number eight during their 16-month partnership from July 2006 to November 2007.
Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty ImagesWhat did Andy Roddick say about Andy Murray after his retirement?
12 years after Roddick hung up his racket following the 2012 US Open, Murray called time on his tennis career.
He announced he would bid farewell to the sport after the Paris Olympics and he made a tearful exit following his loss in the doubles quarterfinals alongside Dan Evans.
Roddick was one of the many who paid tribute to Murray and his great career, which took place in the same era as Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
“I think Murray might have the highest tennis IQ I have ever seen and been around,” Roddick said. “He’s competed with these kind of superheroes without the biggest shot on the court and without being faster than them.
“He is a master of nuance, he is the master of scouting reports, he knows everything backwards, he’s a detail-oriented guy. You are not going to get into Novak’s ear by giving him lazy vagaries, you need some thought behind it.”
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