American Andy Roddick played like he couldn’t wait to be in the final of the US Open, grabbing his racquet and leaving Fabrice Santoro on the platform 6-2 6-2 6-2 in his most impressive performance this summer.

As one would expect from a guy who likes to play hardball, Roddick put on a serving masterclass and used a detonating forehand whenever he had the opportunity.

I was thoroughly impressed with his complete performance in the last men’s match of the first round at Flushing Meadows. The scattergun shots that often plague his game never appeared. He simply was magical against the player known as ''The Magician''.

His 35-year-old opponent, Santoro, was appearing in a record-breaking 65th major, but Roddick was just too good. Before the match started, I felt that if he were to lose it would be a disaster. He is the face of American tennis; the 2003 tournament winner. If you ask people to name an American tennis player, they will say Andy Roddick.

In truth, he was very composed and very businesslike - he just got the job done. All in all, it was an impressive show on a sold-out night. It’s been a while since I’ve seen him so controlled, so solid. He played like he had a goal and knew how to achieve it.

Andy decided to play three US Open Series events instead of going to Beijing in hopes of readying himself to duplicate his 2003 success, and he looked bad. I don’t know if it was the shoulder and neck injuries that had tormented him earlier this year, but it was almost as if they still existed because the best he did was reach the Countrywide Classic final in Los Angeles, where Juan Martin Del Potro, the story of the summer hard courts season, ambushed him 6-1 7-6.

His victory five years ago may have come about because the rest of the men’s field hadn’t really formed. Roger Federer was still developing at the time. Plus, you have to remember the reality of the match. Not to take anything away from Andy, he was fortunate to get by David Nalbandian on a couple of disputed calls in their semi-final.

I’m surprised that he hasn’t done better since then. He’s an attractive champion - some may say he’s cocky and recently his results don’t hold up for him to be that way, but everyone does know him. While he has had injuries this year, he lost early in Australia, didn’t play Paris, and at Wimbledon he lost in the second round to Janko Tipsarevic.

All in all, it hasn’t been an impressive year. He is very competitive, and is probably very discouraged, though he wouldn’t admit it. It almost seems time may be running out for him.

One question that must be asked is: Does he need a coach? Though he has played for some time, I still think he needs direction. I thought Jimmy Connors helped him - his backhand got better, he hit through the ball and used his hands rather than muscling his shots. But, because of his grip, he still had trouble volleying.

The guy who got him to No.1, Brad Gilbert, was dismissed and so was his brother, John, who worked with him part of the summer. He’s here in New York with Davis Cup captain Patrick McEnroe but, though he is still young, he has been through so many coaches that I wonder if he knows what he wants to do.

The Santoro match was a very important one for him. Though he is through, Ernests Gulbis, the explosive Latvian, is his next opponent and he is really tough. Though I don’t want to be pessimistic, I don’t know if he will get through. If he doesn’t, the road will be a bit easier.

If he’s going to do it, this is the place and now is the time. He is certainly popular and the crowd love him. After the tournament, the season is practically over. He goes to Spain to face Rafael Nadal and David Ferrer in the Davis Cup on clay - and, I wouldn’t wish that on anyone! While he is the leader of the team - sort of the fraternity president - playing against Russia in last year’s final he wasn’t spectacular. The Russians, in truth, weren’t really competitive.

However, Andy has been at the top and knows what it takes. Should he be able to pull it together and recapture his best form, the game would benefit because there’s only one A-Rod.