October 14, 2001: The day Andy Roddick kept USA in the Davis Cup World Group
Every day, Tennis Majors looks back to some of the biggest moments in tennis history. On October 14, 2001, American Andy Roddick beat Leander Paes of India in a crucial Davis Cup tie
What happened on that day:
On this day, October 14, 2001, a 19-year-old Andy Roddick defeated Leander Paes 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 7-5 to give the United States victory over India in a Davis Cup World Group play-off. It was the first time that the young American, who was already world No 15, had won the deciding point in a Davis Cup tie. Thanks to his success, the United States saved their spot in the World Group.
The players: Andy Roddick and Leander Paes
- Andy Roddick: The next big American hope, future world No 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 junior. The same year, he obtained his first ATP ranking in March, and by the end of the year, he was already No 156, after he reached the quarter-finals in Washington as world No 596, only defeated by world No 1, Andre Agassi (6-4, 6-4). He broke into the top 100 in April 2001, after he made his way to the Miami quarter-finals, beating two former world No 1 players on his way, Marcelo Rios (6-4, 6-1) and Pete Sampras (7-6, 6-3).
Soon, he claimed his two first titles consecutively, the first one in Atlanta, defeating Xavier Malisse in the final (6-2, 6-3), and the second one in Houston, where he beat Hyung-Taik Lee (7-5, 6-3). In August, he defeated world No 1 Gustavo Kuerten (6-7, 6-4, 6-2), and, after a third tournament won in Washington, he obtained his first remarkable Grand Slam result at the US Open, where he reached the quarter-finals (lost to Lleyton Hewitt, 6-7, 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4). In October 2001, he was already the 15th-ranked player in the world.
- Leander Paes: India’s former Olympic medalist; doubles star
Leander Paes, from India, was born in 1973. Both his parents played sports at a high level: his mother was a part of the Indian basketball team, and his father played in the national hockey team. Leander took up tennis, and in 1990, he became the world No 1 in juniors after triumphing at Wimbledon. He turned pro in 1991, but despite his promising results as a junior, he did not break into the top 100 before 1998. That year, he claimed his only ATP singles title on the Newport grass, defeating Neville Godwin in the final (6-3, 6-2).
In 1996, though, the Indian, ranked No 126 in the world managed to clinch the bronze medal at the Atlanta Olympic Games, defeating Fernando Meligeni (3-6, 6-2, 6-4) in the match for the medal. Paes was more successful in doubles, where he reached world No 1, having claimed 22 titles, including Roland-Garros (1998, 2001) and Wimbledon (2001), partnering fellow Indian Mahesh Bhupathi. He had also triumphed at Wimbledon in mixed doubles in 1999, partnering Lisa Raymond. In October 2001, he was ranked No 18 in doubles, but in singles, he was about to stop competing and was ranked only 232 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 held in Winston Salem, North Carolina, at the LJVM Coliseum, a multi-purpose venue with a capacity of 14,000 spectators. Unveiled in 1989, it was home to the Wake Forest University men’s and women’s basketball teams.
The facts: Roddick rescues USA in World Group play-off
In 2001, the United States found themselves playing the World Group Qualifying Round, after their loss against Switzerland, led by its rising star Roger Federer, in the first round. The play-off against India was held in Winston Salem, and the American team, led by its new captain Patrick McEnroe, was the heavy favourite.
On the first day, young Andy Roddick, world No 15, defeated world No 738 Harsh Mankad (6-3, 6-4, 6-1), and James Blake, who had just entered the top 100, beat Leander Paes (No 232), 7-5, 6-3, 6-3.
On Saturday, Paes and his usual partner Mahesh Bhupathi, who had triumphed at Wimbledon a few months before, proved their value, beating Jared Palmer and Donald Johnson (6-4, 1-6, 6-3, 7-6).
On Sunday, Roddick had the opportunity to seal his team’s victory against Paes. With his recent results and his massive serve, the young American was favourite, but Paes was not to be counted out when playing under the Indian flag. After all, although he had never climbed higher than 73rd in the world, he had clinched a bronze medal against all odds at the 1996 Olympics, and in 1993, in a Davis Cup tie against France, he had upset Henri Leconte.
The Indian doubles specialist knew that he couldn’t match Roddick from the baseline, so he decided to chip and charge from the first points. In the first set, this constant pressure disturbed the young star and Paes took the first set, 6-4. Then, driven by his captain, the American found his pace, sharpened his passing shots and outclassed his opponent. Roddick won in four sets (4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 7-5). For the first time in his career, he had sealed a Davis Cup victory for the United States.
”Andy just hit with too much pace for me,” Paes said, according to The New York Times. ”It was hard to cover the court against such power.”
”Leander rushed me and made my second serve look childish at the beginning,” Roddick said. “It’s different when you win a big match and your coach, your parents are happy, but it’s different when you play for an entire stadium and when you’re playing for your country you are playing for a lot of people and that makes it a little bit more emotional.”
What next: Roddick wins US Open, hits No 1; Paes adds to doubles titles
Roddick would continue rising until 2003, when he would reach world No 1 with a victory at the US Open, where he would defeat Spaniard Juan Carlos Ferrero in the final (6-3, 7-6, 6-3). With the rise of Roger Federer as the new leader on the Tour, however, he would not enjoy the No 1 spot for very long.
Paes would soon stop competing in singles and focus on doubles. At the end of his career, in 2020, he would hold the impressive number of eight Grand Slam crowns in doubles and 10 in mixed doubles.
