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World number six Andy Roddick reportedly topped an online poll conducted by a major Chinese news website. The poll asks for visitors to vote for their favorite male tennis player in 2008.
Other players being considered for Sina.com’s poll were Rafael Nadal (world no. 1) and Swiss player Roger Federer (world no. 2). Sina is the most preferred online news site in China.
Roddick is the reigning China Open champion after clinching the title at the Beijing Olympic Tennis Center last October. He has confirmed his participation in this year’s event to defend the title. The China Open is an ATP World Tour 500 event.
One of the reasons why Roddick gained so much attention in China was his donation of $50,000 to the Chinese Tennis Association (CTA). The funds will be used to refurbish tennis facilities and courts in Sichuan that were destroyed by the earthquake last May.
