Andy Roddick accepts he will be the most unpopular man in Britain this afternoon and that he will be facing an opponent without any weaknesses when he tries to block Andy Murray’s route into the Wimbledon history books.
The 26-year-old American, ranked 6 in the world, is all that stands between this country and its first All England finalist since Noah had trouble finding his second dodo and quite simply the nation will not brook any deviation from destiny.
Roddick will send down his aces, 43 against Lleyton Hewitt in his quarter-final, smash his forehand and try to blow Murray not just off-course but off-court.
But Murray will be roared on by 15,000 supporters, transformed by the presence of the young Scot from mild-mannered middle-Englanders into rabid warriors of the clan McMurray.
And Roddick knows he will not only have to beat an opponent who has defeated him six times in their eight meetings, but withstand the hell-fire of a Centre Court crowd desperate to see the Briton end 71 years of exclusion from the highest stage of all.
“We might be able to count the people for me on one hand. But I think it will be something to remember,” Roddick said.
“The crowd’s going to be electric, it’s going to be a great atmosphere and one that I certainly appreciate even if it’s not for me.
“I’m just going to pretend when they say ‘C’mon Andy’ that they mean me.”
However, Roddick will have to do better than fool himself if he is to beat a player who is on a ten-match winning streak. And he knows it.
“I think this tournament did wonders for him last year, especially the [Richard] Gasquet match. Everyone knew it was only going to be a matter of time.
“He’s certainly capable of hitting all the shots, it’s just a matter of doing it day after day now.
“There’s a certain comfort level where you go out there and it’s like second nature. I think he’s acquired that since last year here.
“He doesn’t really have a lot of weaknesses, or any for that matter. He’s improved his serve a lot, he returns well.”
Not much point turning up, really.
