Roddick clinches Washington Classic
Tuesday, 7 August 2007
WASHINGTON, Aug 6 (AFP): American top seed Andy Roddick won his third Washington Classic title, defeating upstart John Isner 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) Sunday, ending a fairy-tale run by the unheralded 416th-ranked American newcomer.
Roddick, who also won at Washington in 2001 and 2005, captured his 23rd career singles crown and second of the year at the 600,000-dollar tuneup for the US Open, the year's final Grand Slam event that begins in three weeks.
"I'm excited to get a win under my belt. Hopefully’. I will get one or two more," Roddick said.
Wild card Isner missed out on a fairytale ending to a week that saw him win five matches in a row in third-set tie-breakers, thought to be an unprecedented feat, after making the field only because wild card Fernando Gonzalez withdrew.
"It was great to be a part of it," Isner said. "I can't play better than that. I hope I can keep it going playing this well in more ATP matches."
Fifth-ranked Roddick took the 74,250-dollar top prize while 6-foot-9 Isner earned a wild card entry into the Cincinnati Masters event in two weeks and will jump to about 190th in the new ranking list.
Isner surrendered a break at love in the seventh game of the first set, netting two backhands and a forehand before sending a forehand long, and Roddick served out to the finish, ending the set with an ace.
In the tie-breaker, Isner sent a backhand long to give Roddick a 3-1 lead and the veteran rode it to the finish, taking it after 81 minutes on a forehand winner. Roddick fired 14 aces in the match to 13 for Isner.
"I knew I had to establish," Roddick said. "I wanted to make him play some shots. I was moving him around."
Roddick, who also won at Washington in 2001 and 2005, captured his 23rd career singles crown and second of the year at the 600,000-dollar tuneup for the US Open, the year's final Grand Slam event that begins in three weeks.
"I'm excited to get a win under my belt. Hopefully’. I will get one or two more," Roddick said.
Wild card Isner missed out on a fairytale ending to a week that saw him win five matches in a row in third-set tie-breakers, thought to be an unprecedented feat, after making the field only because wild card Fernando Gonzalez withdrew.
"It was great to be a part of it," Isner said. "I can't play better than that. I hope I can keep it going playing this well in more ATP matches."
Fifth-ranked Roddick took the 74,250-dollar top prize while 6-foot-9 Isner earned a wild card entry into the Cincinnati Masters event in two weeks and will jump to about 190th in the new ranking list.
Isner surrendered a break at love in the seventh game of the first set, netting two backhands and a forehand before sending a forehand long, and Roddick served out to the finish, ending the set with an ace.
In the tie-breaker, Isner sent a backhand long to give Roddick a 3-1 lead and the veteran rode it to the finish, taking it after 81 minutes on a forehand winner. Roddick fired 14 aces in the match to 13 for Isner.
"I knew I had to establish," Roddick said. "I wanted to make him play some shots. I was moving him around."