Well, not really. Apparently, Andy Roddick has a little more game than WFAN’s Chris “Mad Dog” Russo would like to admit.

The fifth seeded American might’ve fallen tonight to top seeded Roger Federer in straight sets but if you watched the match, you know it was far from routine for the three-time defending U.S. Open champ in improving to a ridiculous 14-1 against Roddick.

With popular former two-time champion Andre Agassi watching on from the broadcast booth where he was a guest analyst along with the dynamic duo of John McEnroe and Ted Robinson, the 11-time slam winner had to be at his absolute very best to squeak out the first couple of sets against a razor sharp Roddick who looked determined to reverse his luck in front of a packed Ashe Stadium.

Hitting serves as big as 146 MPH, the 25 year-old from Omaha, Nebraska was pumped up against his machine-like opponent. Going shot for shot with Federer, Roddick had that same look you’ve seen on his coach Jimmy Connors who was dressed up nicely for the occasion.

How often do you get a quarterfinal of this magnitude? They were following a great women’s quarter between Venus Williams and Jelena Jankovic which the 27 year-old American pulled out in a third set tiebreak to advance to a semifinal showdown against Justine Henin.

Just how high quality was the opening set between Feds and the A-Rod of tennis? Roddick had two more winners than Federer (22-20) but still lost the first set breaker after neither player could get crack each other’s serve.

Roddick had eight errors to Federer’s four. Roger did just enough though to claim the set 7-6 (5) in 45 entertaining minutes. He finished it with what else but an ace down the tee as Roddick could only shake his head in disbelief.

Unfortunately for the emotional former 2003 Open winner, it was just getting started. He played even better in a similar second set which saw him ratchet up his serve even more making it impossible for the best player on the planet to get even a break chance.

Roddick started to get some looks at Federer with a couple of 15-30’s and even his only break point of the match which would’ve meant the set on his racket. But he misfired a return just long and Federer snuck out of it with some clutch shotmaking including one of his 48 winners on a backhand crosscourt to setup game point.

The set would also eventually wind up in a tiebreak and similar to the first one, Federer took control early with a minibreak. But Roddick dug deep to get it back even with a huge forehand which produced a short Federer reply into the net pumping him up along with the crowd.

Problem was Federer easily won a big point on his serve thanks to a ridiculous backhand return off a Roddick 140 MPH first serve which went smack on the baseline into the big server drawing an error for another minibreak advantage.

It was all Federer needed this time to close out the set as he held his serve twice more including a service winner after a big serve down the tee to claim a commanding two set edge with a pump of the fist and a “Yeah.”

For two sets, Roddick was as close as it got to the best player. The problem was Federer was just a little better on this big points in the breakers. When he needed to win a point most, even as he admitted afterwards to USA’s courtside reporter Michael Barkan that he was “just hanging in there” on some of those points during the first two sets.

Why? Because even though he had dominated the head-to-head against his opponent, Roddick can hit the ball as big as anyone and was playing as aggressively as he did a few years ago at Wimbledon and last year’s Open. He was winning some of those long baseline rallies. His backhand wasn’t falling apart as maybe a Russo might’ve expected. It held up quite well.

The problem for Roddick was that he just couldn’t find a way to get that second set. Had he done so, they’d probably still be on the court in a fourth or maybe even heading to a final set in a raucous atmosphere.

Truth be told, the first two sets were every bit as dynamic as that epic all-American quarter six years ago between Agassi and Pete Sampras which had no service breaks and four tiebreakers before Pistol Pete prevailed. Even Agassi admitted as such during the telecast.

But I also felt he made a great point. Roddick had played two brilliant sets and had nothing to show for it. And Agassi a few times remarked how, “[Federer] just squeezes you.”

That’s how specially gifted the 26 year-old from Switzerland is.

He broke down Roddick finally and was able to break him twice including in the eighth game of the third set to finally claim victory, winning a long point on a Roddick shot into the net.

Federer converted two of his four break chances all in the third set.

Roddick never gave up as evidenced by that final point. He just was in against the best. It’s unfortunate that he couldn’t hold steady and get at least to another tiebreak and see what happens.

But that’s how unreal Federer is. His court movement is what separates him from the pack. While Roddick was giving all out every swing grunting and chasing balls down, Federer was hardly breaking a sweat despite coming up with some awfully difficult shots to stay in rallies before pulling them out.

If you didn’t see the match and you’re down on Roddick, here are some final stats which suggest that you shouldn’t be:

Aces: Federer- 15

Roddick- 14

Winners: Federer- 48

Roddick- 42

Errors: Federer- 18

Roddick- 24

Those numbers are pretty close and tell you that the quality of the match was pretty good.

So what’s the difference? Federer is just better when he needs to be. He converted 64 percent at the net (14-for-22) while Roddick after some early success was 50 percent (18-for-36) for the match.

Each won a high percentage on their first serve with Federer coming in at 81 pct while Roddick countered with 77 pct. However, Roger still won 72 percent (28-of-39) on his second serve while Andy (15-of-30) dropped to 50 percent.

That’s despite the fact Andy was more aggressive in his return game looking to run around the backhand and rip forehands. One which had success with an Agassi-esque inside out crosscourt winner on a second serve to get to Deuce.

Roger is still the better returner. The fact Roddick had one less ace was progress because in other matches, he couldn’t even reach double digits despite possessing the biggest serve on the tour.

That it took Federer two sets to adjust and read his serve tells you how high a level Roddick was serving. He can take some positives out of this despite the end result.

Meanwhile, Roger marches on to another Super Saturday semifinal where he’ll next face fourth seeded Russian Nikolay Davydenko, who disposed of German Tommy Haas in straight sets.

And somewhere, American James Blake saw that result and probably put down his head knowing he could’ve given Davydenko a better match. Especially considering he was a perfect 5-0 against him for his career and would’ve been aiming for his first slam semifinal which would’ve meant oh so much.

The Agassi-like Davydenko is a product of hard work and is extremely quick. Despite having never beaten Federer in nine tries, he has pushed him before due to his hustle and rock solid ground game. He at least should be rested having not dropped a set the entire tournament.

But like Roddick faced tonight, it will be a tall order Saturday. Best of luck to the Russian who never seems to get any respect.

The other semi will be known later today when Carlos Moya takes on Novak Djokovic in one quarter while David Ferrer battles Juan Ignacio Chela in the other.

Considering that our pick Rafael Nadal was ousted by Ferrer in an ultracompetitive four setter the other night, we’ll take the speedy Spaniard who is a better hard courter than clay court to take out Chela and meet up against the rising Serb Djokovic in the other semifinal.

See ya all later!

Jose Gil’s RBI single gave the Staten Island Yankees a 5-4 win in their final at bat over bitter nemesis Brooklyn before 5,117 at Richmond County Bank Ballpark Tuesday night.

It enabled them to take the final game of a five-game series, holding a 3-2 edge against the McNamara Division leading Cyclones.

Already having wrapped up the wildcard which will give them a chance to go for a Penn League three-peat, the Baby Bombers (45-27) avoided allowing their rivals to clinch the division on their home field- closing the gap back to one a half with three home games left all against Tri-City starting later tonight.

Meanwhile, Brooklyn concludes the regular season by hosting Lowell for a three-game set in Coney Island.

The Bombers gave rehabbing Yankee pitcher Darrell Rasner an early two-run lead with a run in each of the first two innings thanks to a Tim Stronach wild pitch which scored leadoff hitter Justin Snyder and a Matt Morris RBI double which plated Chris Raber.

Staten Island shortstop Brian Chavez tacked on a run with an runscoring double in the fourth to make it 3-0. But the Cyclones got right back in it the next inning thanks to a two-run double from first baseman Jacon Jacobs to close within one.

Brooklyn rallied for two more runs in the eighth off closer Jonathan Ortiz.

After Jacinto Gonell ran into trouble by walking the first two, Cyclones’ center fielder Raul Reyes sacrifice them into scoring position.

Ortiz replaced Gonell and got pinch hitter Brandon Kawal to pop out for the second out. However, consecutive two out hits from Ezequiel Carrera and Micah Schilling put them ahead.

Trailing for the first time all night, the Bombers responded courtesy of a solo home run by Raber to right off Brooklyn reliever Brandon Rustich setting up the dramatic conclusion.

Snyder drew a leadoff walk and was sacrificed to second by Taylor Holiday. After third baseman Braedyn Pruitt was intentionally passed over, Austin Krum grounded out into a fielder’s choice moving the runners over setting the stage for Gil, who delivered the two out clutch hit to give Staten Island an exciting victory.

Notes: Making his second rehab start, Rasner went four innings giving up two earned on five hits while walking two before giving way to Ryan Zink, who tossed two and two thirds scoreless ball while walking a couple and fanning three. … Ortiz improved to 4-0 despite blowing his second save retiring five batters and K-ing two. … Jacobs was ejected in the seventh for arguing balls and strikes after being punched out in the Brooklyn seventh. … The game took three hours and thirty-four minutes to complete. … Raber finished 2-for-2 with two walks, his second dinger and three runs scored. … Despite taking a collar in two at bats, Snyder walked three times and scored twice including the walkoff run. … Chavez finished with two hits and played a flawless short turning S.I.’s only double play to escape a jam. … Second baseman Damon Sublett sat out his fourth straight game with Snyder once again showing his versatility shifting to second.

Krum tabbed Offensive Player of Week: It was a good week for Austin Krum. The Staten Island center fielder hit in all seven games finishing a sizzling .519 with a homer and seven RBI’s to garner Offensive Player of the Week honors. That included four straight three hit contests.

The 21 year-old out of Dallas Baptist University extended his hit streak last night with a single in the third inning.

His offensive production since the All-Star break has made him a fixture in the lineup. In 17 games since, Krum is hitting .344 with eight extra base hits, nine knocked in and 11 runs. He’s also swiped four of his 10 stolen bases during the stretch.

By show of hands, how many actually watched today’s Labor Day U.S. Open coverage?

Alright. Maybe you’re not a tennis fan like myself. But if you think tennis is boring, sit down and watch a quality match which takes over three hours to complete between two evenly matched top 10 players like today’s 4th round battle at Ashe between 10th seeded German Tommy Haas and sixth seeded American James Blake.

The topsy turvy match finished up about half an hour prior with Haas coming back from a set down to prevail in five over Blake 4-6, 6-4, 3-6, 6-0, 7-6 (4) in front of a noisy packed house which included the J-Block who tried their best to get Blake over the top.

But the resilient Haas had just a little extra on the big points to pull this one out and advance to a possible quarterfinal rematch from last year against fourth seeded Russian Nikolay Davydenko.

Early on, Blake looked in control taking it to his opponent with thunderous groundstrokes and an aggressive net game which worked very well to give him the first set and a 2-0 break lead in the second.

But Haas stepped up his game and turned the tide with some sizzling backhands which produced many of his 69 winners. He would level the match.

Blake got a crucial break in the third game of the third set to retake the momentum. He’d also break Haas to capture the set pulling within a set of a third consecutive Open quarterfinal.

But the feisty Haas quickly turned it around bageling Blake to take the fourth set. What changed? The German’s game as he started hitting all out from the baseline and attacking the net to finish off points.

The change in strategy paid dividends as he converted 66 percent (42 for 64) at the net which put Blake on the defensive.

Haas would continue his momentum with a break of Blake in the opening game of the final set. But the American wouldn’t go down without a fight finally breaking the German to level the match at two sets apiece and four all with some great hustle.

Both players really gave it their all in the fifth set which took 63 minutes to play. So much so that as it reached the pinnacle, the level of play continued to go up as each player did all they could to stay in points. It really was extraordinary to watch and captivated the audience.

Blake held for 5-4 and then put himself in a winning position on Haas’ serve earning three match points. However, that’s when the 29 year-old veteran ratcheted it up with three huge first serves to stave off elimination.

Earlier, it had been Blake who had to save a couple of break points and would’ve been down two breaks at 2-5 before holding for 3-4. Now, it was Haas digging deep for every ounce of energy to stay in this seesaw contest which featured plenty of emotions from both sides.

Both players would hold again to finally push it to a tiebreak. In the deciding breaker, the key point was played at three all on Haas’ serve. It just might’ve been one of the best points you’ll see.

With each player trading lethal groundstrokes, Haas eventually tried a drop shot to draw Blake in who ran it down. The speedy American then was forced to chase after a great Haas backhand lob. He somehow got to it and kept it in deep to get back in the point. With the crowd buzzing, he went back into the net looking to finish off the point but Haas came up with another great backhand lob which Blake couldn’t reach leaving both players spent as a loud reception rained down.

Maybe it took something out of Blake who had just won his first career five set match a couple of rounds ago and also needed four sets to reach this round. He also had played a busy schedule winning back in hometown New Haven and finishing runner-up to Roger Federer at Cincinnati. Whatever the reason, he double faulted and misfired on a shot from the baseline which gave Haas three match points with a couple on his racket.

Ironically, two reviews were needed to find out if the match would continue. The first one saw Blake almost down and out but his top spin backhand caught the edge of the baseline to make it 6-4 Haas after he challenged it thinking he won. The German then served an ace out wide which also caught an edge. This time, Blake challenged but the end result was the same as the one which was in favor giving Haas a hard fought Round of 16 win.

In terms of the quality, Haas finished with 69 winners and 39 unforced errors while the downcast Blake had 75 winners and one less unforced error (38). Each player also finished with 18 aces.

But ultimately, Haas was just a little better on this day. It was the type of match that was ashame someone had to lose. But that’s the bottom line in any competitive sport between two evenly matched competitors.

Give Haas a lot of credit for coming up with the goods to offset a pro Blake crowd along with his very capable American foe.

For the 27 year-old Blake out of Yonkers, it was an extremely disappointing result. Sure, as he said, Haas played well on the big points. But he really needed to pull out this match and get to the quarters again. Maybe this was the year he could’ve taken that next step at a slam and made his first semi with no Roger Federer or Andre Agassi standing in the way.

Instead, it’s back to the drawing board for the very likeable American. He’s probably wondering when it’s going to happen. This wasn’t like some of the other five set losses. He was right there just like the Agassi epic match but his opponent came up with the shots to beat him.

One year soon, Blake is going to need to win a match such as this if he wants to take that quantum leap forward and possibly challenge for his first major.

Meanwhile, Andy Roddick had a relatively short day because his Czech opponent Tomas Berdych had something wrong with him. Yet the fifth seeded American had to dig out of a 3-5 first set hole and fight off a set point before pulling out the breaker. When he broke for 2-0 in the second set, that was all for Berdych who just looked very sluggish and could barely run out there.

It was very peculiar considering he felt fine earlier in the day. Maybe it was nerves? Whatever the reason, it was just another reason the 22 year-old from the Czech Republic remains an enigma. He’s got as much talent as anyone. Big serve. Bigger groundstrokes than probably Roddick. But no heart. This is a guy who upset Federer at the 2004 Olympics. So you know he’s got the ability.

But there’s something missing. No fire? Who knows?

For Roddick, he used another hour to practice and prepare for what should be a quarter against Federer- a rematch of last year’s final which was very tight for three sets before Roger cruised to a four set win and third consecutive Open.

Unless the unthinkable happens and Spaniard Feliciano Lopez upsets the world No.1 tonight, it will be another opportunity for the 25 year-old 2003 Open winner to reverse the trend against Federer was has seen him only win one match in 14 tries. That came four years ago in Montreal when Roddick was the No.1 player in the world.

Roger holds a 4-0 edge in slams. We’ll see what happens.

STATEN ISLAND, NY- The blood was boiling and the dugouts cleared but cooler heads prevailed and so did the Baby Bombers who got the better of their Verrazano rivals the Cyclones shutting them out 6-0 to take the second game of a day/night doubleheader earning a split Sunday before 5,592 at Richmond County Bank Ballpark.

After some sluggish play in dropping the first game 3-0 to Brooklyn falling two and a half out, the Bombers responded with one of their most crisp games to get it back to one and a half with two games left in the five-game series.

“Today, we played great D,” Staten Island shortstop Brian Chavez said after helping turn two of his team’s four double plays which helped winning spot starter Craig Heyer get out of a couple of jams including a bases loaded threat in the third.

“It’s always good when pitchers get ground balls.”

With his defense aiding him, Heyer was able to make the pitches he needed to escape trouble working five scoreless in improving to 5-0 this summer.

“They needed a spot starter. I just tried to throw strikes,” he pointed out at his locker.

With his team already ahead two runs on a first inning Taylor Holiday sacrifice fly plus a two out second inning RBI base knock from right fielder David Williams, Heyer ran into trouble in the third when he walked Brooklyn second baseman Micah Schilling to load the bases with one out. However, he got just what the doctor ordered getting Jason Jacobs to hit into an inning ending 6-4-3 twin killing.

“Our defense all year has been great. I was just trying to make a pitch and have him put it in play.”

After getting a run in each of the first two frames against Cyclones’ starter Nick Waechtler (5-4), Staten Island tacked on another thanks to leadoff man Justin Snyder’s second double of the night. Taylor Holiday sacrificed him to third and third baseman Braedyn Pruitt’s sac fly to center scored Snyder to put them up three.

It was all part of a big game for the versatile leadoff hitter who snapped out of a recent funk at the plate finishing four-for-four with three runs scored while manning second to give leading home run and RBI man Damon Sublett a day off.

“[Snyder] had struggled for a while but you knew he’d break out of it eventually,” Chavez said.

“I was seeing the ball a little better. Trying not to pull off the ball so much. My front shoulder had been out in front lately which messed up my swing. I tried not to do too much tonight,” noted Snyder whose third leadoff hit of the second game came after being down two strikes and came around to score the Bombers’ fourth run on a Daniel McDonald bases loaded walk to center fielder Austin Krum.

McDonald also couldn’t locate the plate against catcher Jose Gil leading to another run before the Cyclones’ reliever got a 1-2-3 double play and a strikeout to escape further damage.

Tempers flared in the Brooklyn half of the sixth when Staten Island reliever Jason Kiley came high and tight to Jacobs after throwing inside the first pitch leading to an ejection. Both teams cleared the dugouts and nearly came to blows.

It wasn’t the first time this season the two bitter rivals were at each other’s throats.

“A little excitement for fans,” Pruitt chuckled at his locker after his teammate appeared to retaliate for him being plunked in the prior inning. “Tensions seem to run high whenever we play Brooklyn. Maybe it’s egos or competitive spirit.”

“There’s a lot on the line. Emotions are high. You got two teams fighting for first,” Holiday said eluding to the tight race after finishing with two hits and two RBI’s.

“It’s part of the game. You got to stick up for teammates.”

After order was restored, Staten Island skipper Mike Gillespie came out to the defense of his pitcher and also was sent to the locker room. He didn’t seem to believe Kiley was retaliating for Pruitt.
“You saw what happened,” expressed the manager just outside his office. “There was no warning for ejecting Kiley. [Justin Sassaman] was a mind reader. I objected to it. I also didn’t like the field umpire [Ross Nickel] getting involved.”

As for his team, they completed the second game by adding another run while reliever Nick Peterson got the last four outs including striking out the side in the Brooklyn seventh, getting all three looking to get a split and keep them within reach of the division.

“It still keeps us there. Especially with five games left,” Snyder added.

With two games left against Brooklyn tonight at Key Span and tomorrow back at St. George, there’s still a chance.

Cyclones shutout Bombers in Game 1: The Cyclones took the first game 3-0 getting a combined three-hit shutout from Michael Antonini, winning pitcher Brant Rustich (1-0) and Eddie Kunz who picked up his fifth save.

They got a run in the first thanks to a Pruitt error and a Jose Gil passed ball which allowed Schilling to score.

“It was just a matter of a hard game yesterday,” Williams pointed out of the sloppy start to the first game after a 3-for-3 effort in Game 2. “The start time was a little earlier and we came out flat.”

The Bombers had the tying run 90 feet away in the fifth but pinch hitter Chris Raber lined into an unassisted double play to Brooklyn third baseman Jacob Eigsti who doubled off Krum.

Brooklyn added insurance runs in the sixth and seventh courtesy of a Matt Bouchard runscoring double and a Lucas Duda RBI two-bagger.

Despite giving up an unearned run in five innings while K-ing seven, Jason Stephens suffered his first defeat for the Bombers falling to 4-1 before a crowd of 5,501.

Krum stays sizzling: With a hit in each of the games, Krum now has now hit in six straight. During that stretch, the outfielder is a sizzling 14-for-24 (.583) with four extra base hits and seven RBI’s.