Play on Day 9 of the 2012 U.S. Open has been suspended due to the inclement weather, stalling Andy Roddick's Tuesday evening showdown with Juan Martin Del Potro in the first set. Roddick is trying to advance to the quarterfinals and hold off retirement for at least one more day.
Over the course of the day, play had been delayed throughout the afternoon at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center -- -- Novak Djokovic's Round of 16 match was pushed back three hours because of the rainy conditions.and the evening session finally began around 8 p.m. ET.
The highlight of Tuesday's action was Roddick's match with Del Potro, but the start at Arthur Ashe Stadium was delayed an hour. Play finally began shortly after 8 p.m. ET in front of a sparse and late-arriving crowd.
Roddick jumped on top in the first set and looked to be in form against the 2009 winner. But Del Potro battled back to even things up and forced a tiebreak. Del Potro seemed unhappy with the conditions throughout the first set, at one point having the ball boys dry off the baseline with a towel.
Finally, the players were taken off the court with Roddick up a point in the tiebreak. Play will resume tomorrow on Day 10 of the U.S. Open.
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