With the current suspension of the ATP and WTA Tours, we are opening up our US Open vault to bring you full match videos of classic encounters through the years in New York.
Watch on YouTube: Andy Roddick vs. Michael Russell, 2011 US Open men's singles first round
Andy Roddick reached the quarterfinals in eight of his 13 US Open appearances, and did so for the final time in 2011. His 2011 run—in his second-to-last US Open before he retired at the 2012 tournament—started against compatriot Michael Russell.
Russell reached a career-high ATP ranking of No. 60 in 2007, and still holds the record for most USTA Pro Circuit singles titles, with 24. But he never managed a victory in nine US Open main-draw singles appearances. Currently the coach of Tennys Sandgren, Russell reached the fourth round of the 2001 French Open early in his career, a result that stood as his best career Grand Slam performance.
The 5-foot-8 underdog gave Roddick all he could handle in this opening-round match, nearly forcing a fifth set against the 2003 US Open champion. But Roddick, seeded No. 21, would survive and advance all the way to the Round of 16 before dropping another set. In that fourth round, Roddick upset No. 5 seed David Ferrer in four sets, before falling in straights to Rafael Nadal in the quarterfinals.
The complete first-round showdown, along with scores of other great content, is now available to watch on the USTA YouTube channel. For a coming attraction, check out the highlights below.
