Roddick takes upper hand at Wimbledon

Andy Roddick today took the upper hand in the early stages of the Wimbledon final before rain halted play on Centre Court.

Defending champion Roger Federer was an odds-on favourite to retain the title after cruising through the previous rounds for the loss of just one set.

But Roddick came out firing on all cylinders and fired down three aces in his opening service game to leave Federer in no doubt he was in for a real fight.

The US Open champion then broke Federer’s serve in the next game – only the third time the world number one had lost his serve throughout the championships - and saved five break points to consolidate the break at 3-1.

The first final between the top two seeds since Jimmy Connors defeated John McEnroe in 1982 was living up to its billing, Federer holding serve to trail 2-3 before the players were forced off court.