Andy Roddick’s career ends with loss at U.S. Open

NEW YORK — Chants of “Let’s go, Andy!” rang out between points during the last service game of his career, and again before the start of what would wind up as the last return game.

Always a fan favorite at the U.S. Open, and the 2003 champion, Andy Roddick headed into retirement with a 6-7 (1), 7-6 (4), 6-2, 6-4 loss to Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina in the fourth round at Flushing Meadows on Wednesday.

It was an emotional farewell for Roddick, who sat in his changeover chair, covering his face with a white towel, after sailing a running forehand long on the last point. He choked up during an on-court speech at Arthur Ashe Stadium, telling the crowd, “Oh, wow. For the first time in my career, I’m not sure what to say.”

“Since I was a kid, I’ve been coming to this tournament. I felt lucky just to sit where all of you are sitting today, to watch this game, to see the champions that have come and gone,” Roddick told the fans. “I’ve loved every minute of it.”

The American surprisingly announced last Thursday, his 30th birthday, that the U.S. Open would be his final tournament. That impromptu news conference came a day before Roddick’s second-round match, and he wound up winning that one, and a third-rounder, too, riding a wave of support in the stands.

But those two opponents were ranked 43rd and 59th, and the seventh-seeded del Potro, the 2009 U.S. Open champion, provided a far more daunting challenge — especially once he lifted his energy level and got his big, flat forehand cranked up.

The match was suspended because of rain Tuesday night after Roddick took the first point of the opening-set tiebreaker, and they resumed more than 18 hours later in front of thousands of empty blue seats. It took Roddick only four minutes to close that set, fresh and strong as can be, while del Potro was sluggish.

Meanwhile, Roger Federer won’t be playing again at this year’s tournament after losing to Tomas Berdych in the quarterfinals. Five-time champion Federer departs Flushing Meadows before the semifinals for the first time since 2003, stunned by the sixth-seeded Berdych 7-6 (1), 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.

Andy Murray was the first man into the semifinals, turning things around after being a point from a two-set hole against No. 12 Marin Cilic and winning 3-6, 7-6 (4), 6-2, 6-0.

No. 8 Janko Tipsarevic finished his rain-interrupted 6-3, 7-6 (5), 6-2 victory over No. 19 Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany, and gets No. 4 David Ferrer of Spain in the quarterfinals.

Maria Sharapova won her quarterfinal, coming from behind after a rain delay for the second consecutive match and defeating 2007 Wimbledon runner-up Marion Bartoli.