THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

Lu Stuns Roddick; Djokovic Fends Off Hewitt Challenge

Wimbledon, England

Chinese Taipei’s Yen-Hsun Lu became the first Asian man to reach the quarter-finals at a Grand Slam in 15 years when he stunned three-time runner-up Andy Roddick 4-6, 7-6(3), 7-6(4), 6-7(5), 9-7 Monday at The Championships.

Not since Japan’s Shuzo Matsuoka at Wimbledon in 1995 had an Asian man reached the last eight at a major tournament until Lu produced an inspired performance, striking 83 winners, to oust World No. 7 Roddick on Court Two.

Lu was only able to break the famed Roddick serve once in the match, mirroring the 2009 final as he robbed the American of victory with a break of serve in the final game to clinch victory in four hours and 36 minutes. Roger Federer had inflicted the same heartache on Roddick last year, only breaking serve in the final game to prevail. The 27-year-old Roddick also finished runner-up to Federer in 2004 and 2005.

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“Through three sets I was playing horrendously, I mean really, really badly. I mean, to the point where I was trying to think of how to put balls in the court,” lamented Roddick. “Actually, I mean, I think the fifth set was probably the best set that I played as far as hitting the ball,  making him struggle to actually get through service games sometimes.  But when you dig yourself a hole, it's tough to get out, when you've given someone confidence, when they have their feet under them a little bit more.

“He played high risk, but he executed very well. He had a game plan, he stuck to it, and he deserved to win more than I did. That's for sure.”

"I think for me I know he's very tough on grass because he has big serve. And I don't think I'm doing different than last time," said Lu, who came into the clash with a 0-3 losing record against Roddick. "I just showed my serve when I was in trouble or when I was in tough situation, I don't overplay. Today I just take a time, serve regular, and stay with him, try to find a chance and to win the set, set by set, set by set, until the end, I shaking hand and I win. I just don't think.

"I just tell myself, if I can stay longer, longer, longer, then probably something happens. And finally then I waited last chance to close the match. But I tell you, fifth set, I don't believe I can win because he's better server than me.”

Victory for Lu marked his first win over a Top 10 player since upsetting then-No. 6 Andy Murray in the first round at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He improved to a 3-11 record, with his other victory coming against No. 3 Guillermo Coria at The Queen’s Club in 2004.

Prior to posting his best-ever result at a tour-level grass-court tournament this week, World No. 82 Lu had only once won successive matches on grass, reaching the third round at The Queen’s Club in 2004. The 26 year old will now look to become the first Asian man in the Open Era to reach a Grand Slam semi-final when he faces World No. 3 Novak Djokovic on Wednesday.

"I know the next opponent is Djokovic. Also is very great player,” complimented Lu. “I don't know how far I can play. I cannot tell you. But I can tell you if I have a chance to step on the court, I will fight in the end.”

Djokovic called on all his fighting abilities Monday as he fended off both an upset stomach and former World No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt to secure a place in his fifth successive Grand Slam quarter-final at The Championships. In a repeat of the 2007 fourth round at Wimbledon, the Serbian dropped the third set before defeating Hewitt 7-5, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4.

The 23-year-old Djokovic, a semi-finalist at the All England Club in 2007 (l. to Nadal), is bidding to add to the lone major title he won at the Australian Open in 2008 (d. Tsonga) and has been made to work hard in his progress at The Championships. Before taking on 2002 winner Hewitt, Djokovic had been involved in the latest-ever finish at Wimbledon in the first round when he defeated Olivier Rochus in five sets under the roof on Centre Court.

The 29-year-old Hewitt came into his fifth clash with Djokovic full of confidence following strong performances in the first week, which had been preceded by winning his seventh grass-court ATP World Tour title in Halle, defeating Roger Federer in the final. However, the Australian could find no answer to Djokovic’s power play in the first two sets as the Serbian raced to a two-set lead with one break of serve in each set.

With Djokovic ailing from an upset stomach and seeking medical attention, Hewitt was able to capitalise in the third set, breaking serve in the fifth and ninth games to claw his way back into contention. Despite squandering an early break advantage in the fourth set, though, Djokovic was able to rediscover his high level from the first two sets to break through the Australian’s defences in the ninth game before serving out victory in six minutes shy of three hours.

Explaining the loss of the third set, Djokovic said: "I lost my focus little bit. I struggled with the stomach discomfort a little bit in that third set. And he got back into the match by breaking me 2-2 in the third set. Then it could have gone either way really. That's why he's a big champion, because he never stops fighting. I didn't know what's gonna happen up to the last moment. I was fortunate enough to get that break at 4-4 and then held my serve quite well.

"I'm really happy with my performances so far in Wimbledon. I think I'm getting on the right way and playing the better game than I did in last couple months. Just hope to continue."