Roddick-Isner face-off in final
Monday, 6 August 2007
WASHINGTON, Aug 5 (AP): Andy Roddick beat Ivo Karlovic of Croatia 7-6 (7), 7-6 (5) Saturday to reach the final of the Legg Mason Tennis Classic for the third time.
He will face John Isner Sunday in an unlikely all-American final. Isner advanced with a 6-7 (4), 7-6 (1), 7-6 (2) victory over French No. 9 Gael Monfils - the fifth straight day he won a third-set tiebreaker.
Roddick had 12 aces, but saved his best shot to set up a match point. With Karlovic serving at 5-all in the second-set tiebreaker, Roddick sprinted across the court to reach the Croatian's backhand volley, and curled a backhand winner up the line.
"He normally goes to the open court on his volley, so as soon as I hit the return I just took off," said Roddick, who won here in 2001 and 2005. "I didn't actually see it land, but the crowd let me know it was in."
Roddick closed out the match on the next point when Karlovic hit a backhand into the net.
Roddick is 23-3 at this tournament, and has won eight straight matches dating to his run to the title in 2005. He missed last year's tournament because of an injury.
Karlovic, who had 19 aces, had chances to win the first set. He forced Roddick to come up with a forehand volley winner to save a set point while serving at 4-5. Karlovic also had a 4-1 lead in the first set tiebreaker and another set point with Roddick serving at 6-7, but his backhand return went long. Roddick won the next two points to end the first set.
"I think that maybe sounds a lot better than it was as far as a comeback," said Roddick, who had no break chances.
He will face John Isner Sunday in an unlikely all-American final. Isner advanced with a 6-7 (4), 7-6 (1), 7-6 (2) victory over French No. 9 Gael Monfils - the fifth straight day he won a third-set tiebreaker.
Roddick had 12 aces, but saved his best shot to set up a match point. With Karlovic serving at 5-all in the second-set tiebreaker, Roddick sprinted across the court to reach the Croatian's backhand volley, and curled a backhand winner up the line.
"He normally goes to the open court on his volley, so as soon as I hit the return I just took off," said Roddick, who won here in 2001 and 2005. "I didn't actually see it land, but the crowd let me know it was in."
Roddick closed out the match on the next point when Karlovic hit a backhand into the net.
Roddick is 23-3 at this tournament, and has won eight straight matches dating to his run to the title in 2005. He missed last year's tournament because of an injury.
Karlovic, who had 19 aces, had chances to win the first set. He forced Roddick to come up with a forehand volley winner to save a set point while serving at 4-5. Karlovic also had a 4-1 lead in the first set tiebreaker and another set point with Roddick serving at 6-7, but his backhand return went long. Roddick won the next two points to end the first set.
"I think that maybe sounds a lot better than it was as far as a comeback," said Roddick, who had no break chances.