Roddick's Lawn Preparation Mown Short By Sela

Andy Roddick's preparations to defend his run to the finals of Wimbledon 2009 were cut short Thursday by Israel's Dudi Sela, who knocked Roddick out in the third Queen's Club tournament in London 6-4, 7-6(8).

Sela made the second week of Wimbledon in 2009, and is a totally capable player.  He moves extremely well, takes the ball early, and has more of an eye for finishing points at the net than do most. 

But he's still a player who Roddick should be able to blast off the grass if playing anywhere near his best.

The sudden, abbreviated grass court season tends to breed head turning results.  Already in London we've seen Xavier Malisse def. Novak Djokovic, Michael Llodra def. Marin Cilic, Rainier Schuettler def. Gael Monfils, and Nicolas Mahut d. Anybody, all of which are unlikely on any other surface.

There are players, like Schuettler, Mahut and (on the WTA side) Tamarine Tanasugarn who only ever have results to speak of during this short grass swing.  And then there are elite players like Nikolay Davydenko and Gael Monfils who can barely muster a win on the living surface. 

The grass court season is as short as the blades themselves, so it's up to these players to most of their quick time on the turf. 

And now another strong fast court player, Andy Roddick, is just hoping the grass is greener at Wimbledon.