Roddick Faces the Soderling Test

When I was in grade school each spring we had to take yearly standardized tests called the Iowa Tests.  No, they didn't ask about the capital of Iowa, or who would be Hayden Frye's starting quarterback that year for the Iowa Hawkeyes, they covered reading, math, and some other subjects and were supposed to determine what percentile you placed in for each subject.

Before the NFL Draft each year, college players take what is called a Wunderlich Test, this is basically a problem-solving IQ test and is supposed to show your aptitude as a football player.

Andy Roddick faces a test this evening as well.  The Soderling Test should show the tennis world where Roddick is at this moment as he prepares to head to the U.S. Open.  Ranked ahead of Roddick, Robin Soderling poses a threat to Roddick as he does many things well on the tennis court.  Roddick still has a dangerous serve, but other players have passed him in other aspects of the game.  A win over Soderling tonight should be a boost to the Roddick Camp heading to New York.

A few months of disappointing results have left many wondering if Roddick relly was feeling the effects of mono, or is it the start of a slow decline in his game as he nears 30.  a bad loss to Soderling tonight will send Roddick and his coach Larry Stafanki back to the drawing board.  I think Roddick does need to attack more against the top players, that is what brought him success earlier in the year at Indian Wells and Miami.

I'll be watching closely tonight to see if he "aces" this test.