Roddick faces biggest test yet in U.S. Open swan song

(CBS News) American tennis legend Andy Roddick will take the court at the USTA National Tennis Center in New York Tuesday for the U.S. Open quarterfinals. And while the no. 20 seed has often electrified the crowds at the U.S. Open, this year he has made even bigger headlines when he announced his retirement from the sport last Thursday, on his 30th birthday.

"With the way that I'm able to feel like I'm able to compete now, I don't know that it's good enough. I don't know that I've ever been someone who's interested in existing on tour," Roddick explained in the press conference to announce his retirement.

If the weather cooperates, Roddick will face the 2009 U.S. Open champion, Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina on Tuesday night, in what many are calling his biggest test in the tournament to date. Not only could the match be the last of his career, but he is also the last American man standing in the tournament.

Former tennis pro and CBS Sports tennis analyst Taylor Dent joined "CBS This Morning," live from the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center to discuss Roddick's retirement and chances against Del Potro.

"He's in the second level of players and he's not used to that ... he's tried to make a big push to get back up there, to be competing with Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and Murray" Dent said of Roddick's recent play. "He simply hasn't been able to get over the hurdle ... and that can be demoralizing."

But the fan reaction to Roddick's retirement news seems to have upped the level of play for Roddick this week, according to Dent.

"He looks a lot more aggressive out there ... he looks like he's having a much happier time out on the tennis court ... and he's still leaving his heart on the court, which is what we know and expect from him," Dent said.

Still, Dent predicts that Tuesday's night's matchup will be an especially tough one for Roddick, saying he'd "have to favor Del Potro on the heavy side," before adding that Roddick could come out on top if he's able to play to his strengths.

"Andy Roddick has one of the biggest weapons in tennis ... with that first serve," Dent explained. "If he's hitting a lot of aces tonight, anything can happen."