The British fans will be chanting his first name on Centre Court at Wimbledon during the men’s semi-finals on Friday, and Andy Roddick intends to make the best of it. “I’m just going to pretend when they say, ‘Come on, Andy,’ that they mean me,” Roddick said.

Producing witty responses has long come easy to Roddick, who enjoys banter as much as he enjoys banging aces. But producing decisive shots under pressure at Wimbledon has proved more problematic of late.

Now, after a stirring if not entirely convincing five-set victory over Lleyton Hewitt on Wednesday, Roddick is back in the final four at the All England Club for the first time since 2005. The next challenge for Roddick, the resurgent, sixth-seeded American: Andy Murray and the British public as Murray continues his quest to end Britain’s 73-year losing streak in the men’s singles.

“We might be able to count the people for me on this hand,” Roddick said. “But I think it will certainly be something to remember. I think the crowd’s going to be electric. I think it’s going to be a great atmosphere, and one that I can certainly appreciate, even if it’s not for me.”

At 22, the third-seeded Murray is one of the leaders of the next generation: a subtle, shape-shifting talent who reached the final of the US Open last year and who has beaten Roddick six times in eight matches by reading his serve and blunting his power.

Haas gets another chance

... contd.