Andy Roddick's career as a professional tennis player ended at the Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York this evening.
The 30-year-old was knocked out of the US Open by Juan Martin del Potro, who progressed through to the quarter-finals as a result.
The match actually started last night. However, rain forced the encounter to be abandoned overnight with Roddick leading 1-0 in a first-set tie-break.
When the duo returned to the court earlier today, Roddick took control of the breaker from the outset. The American eventually went one set up with a 7-1 success.
Another breaker was required to determine a victor in the second set. On this occasion it was Del Potro who gained the upper hand on his way to serving out 7-4.
Del Potro was now in the ascendancy and a double break allowed him to open up a 2-1 lead in terms of sets.
The Argentine's domination continued during the fourth set and as a result the curtain was brought down of Roddick's career with Del Potro serving out 6-4.
Roddick retires as one-time Grand Slam winner, having won at Flushing Meadows in 2003.
Liam Apicella
