WIMBLEDON, England (AP) Andy Roddick is holding his racket a new way on his serve - and he had some new guests in his Centre Court box Wednesday.
Just a slight little grip change,'' the eighth-seeded Roddick explained after beating Victor Hanescu of Romania 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 to reach the third round at Wimbledon.I was having to kind of force my serve a little bit. Went home with a shoulder injury, came back, and kind of fiddled a little bit.''
It's certainly working. The 2003 U.S. Open champion has 45 aces through two matches this year at the All England Club, where he's been the runner-up three times. Roddick saved the only break point he faced and finished with six unforced errors.
All with his parents watching from up-close.
This is the first time they've seen me play here,'' the 28-year-old American said.I think today was the first time they ever sat in a box in my entire career. They picked a good court to debut that on. I think they're having fun.''
His serve, he said, is ``back to where it was as, opposed to me changing anything I've done for a decade. That would probably explain why my shoulder was beat up, too.''
Roddick skipped the French Open because his right shoulder was bothering him.
If you change something, are hitting something different than a way you have before, even without knowing, sometimes you have to go back to basics. I never had to do that on my serve before,'' said Roddick, who plays 44th-ranked Feliciano Lopez of Spain next.But is that all it was? I don't know. But I feel good with where it's at right now.''
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BOGOMOLOV KEEPS GOING: Never before in Wimbledon's main draw, Alex Bogomolov Jr. is now in the third round.
I think maturity-wise, some people just peak at later times in their careers,'' the 28-year-old American said Wednesday after beating 25th-seeded Juan Ignacio Chela of Argentina 6-0, 6-3, 6-4.I always had the faith that I would accomplish some things that I always dreamed about. I'm just so blessed it's here, and I'm taking every opportunity I have.''
Bogomolov, 1-10 at the other Grand Slam tournaments, admitted some key events probably were factors in his lack of success on court in the past: his marriage to, and divorce from, tennis player Ashley Harkleroad; his month-and-a-half suspension in 2005 for failing to file paperwork for his asthma inhalator, which no longer is a banned substance; and left wrist surgery in 2008.
He and his longtime girlfriend, Luana, have an 18-month-old son. They're in the process of moving from New Jersey to Florida, where he grew up after moving from Russia at age 11.
I feel like tennis-wise everything is coming together at the right time,'' Bogomolov said.Personal-wise, I'm happy. It took me a while to get over things that happened. But now I have a clear mind and it's all about my tennis.''
Bogomolov feels the turning point came this year when he beat Andy Murray in the second round at Key Biscayne, Fla. Heading into Wimbledon, he reached the quarterfinals at the grass-court tuneup tournament at Den Bosch, Netherlands.
His next challenge at Wimbledon will be far tougher: 2010 runner-up Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic.
I've seen him play so many times, but he's probably never seen me play,'' Bogomolov said.I'm dreaming about being in the second week of Wimbledon. Hopefully it will happen.''
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CAMILLA VISTS: The Duchess of Cornwall made her first visit to Wimbledon since marrying Prince Charles - and enjoyed it so much, she left 2 1/2 hours later than planned.
Camilla arrived at 11:45 a.m. Wednesday, only to be told that rain was likely to interrupt play.
``Typical,'' she replied with a smile.
She soon cheered up when she found out that Centre Court's retractable roof would keep her dry, and ensure she could see some tennis.
Camilla enjoyed a lavish lunch at the All England Club, including poached Scottish cod with a sorrel sauce with the traditional dessert of Kentish strawberries and Cornish clotted cream.
But the tennis seemed to provide the main appeal. The Duchess was only due to stay for the first match featuring Venus Williams, but she stayed to watch defending champion Rafael Nadal, too.
I asked her if she'd enjoyed herself and she said she'd had a great day,'' said Elena Baltacha, who was among a group of British players to meet Camilla.I don't think she wanted to go home.''
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FLYING FISH: Mardy Fish is at an age when many guys are discovering the better days of their career are behind them, but the 29-year-old American is doing things differently.
Fish secured a top-10 ranking for the first time in his career this spring, entering Wimbledon at No. 9. He's seeded 10th.
You know, a top-10 seeding in Wimbledon, which I've never done before, I'm not sure if I'll ever be back here again with the same number next to my name,'' Fish said.So I'm trying to take it all in.''
On April 4, Fish reached the semifinals in Key Biscayne, Fla., and with that achievement surpassed Andy Roddick in the rankings. The move made him the highest ranked American player in the game for the first time in his career. He's still enjoying that distinction.
I'm just excited to be playing my best tennis of my life now,'' Fish said.You know, you see a lot of guys come through that sort of go downhill as their age gets older, and I'm going the other way.''
Fish beat Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan 7-6 (6), 6-4, 6-4 Wednesday to reach the third round at Wimbledon for the fourth time in his career. He's reached two Grand Slam quarterfinals - at the 2007 Australian Open and 2008 U.S. Open - but has never made the fourth round at Wimbledon.
I certainly feel like if I can put a few matches together, get some confidence, that maybe this is one of the years that I can do well here,'' Fish said.Certainly my goal is to go deep at Wimbledon one time.''