Roddick takes China Open title
Monday, 29 September 2008
Top seed Andy Roddick saw off a determined challenge from unsung Dudi Sela to win the China Open in Beijing, BBC reports.
The 26-year-old American came through 6-4 6-7 (6-8) 6-3 for the 26th ATP Tour title of his career.
Unseeded Sela, the first Israeli to play an ATP final since 2000, recovered from 4-6 down in the tiebreak to take the match to a deciding set.
But Roddick broke the world number 92 in the sixth game and shortly after closed out the match with his 17th ace.
"I had in the back of my mind that I'd played 30-40 finals and that this was his first one, so I knew that would count for something," said Roddick.
"I wanted to stay in there and compete, even though he was the hot player for the majority of the day. At the end of the day, a win is a win and I'm happy with that," he added.
The first three games of the match passed without a single point against the server, but Sela was eventually broken and that was enough to cost him the set.
Another break saw him trail 3-2 in the second, but the 23-year-old immediately levelled thanks to some wayward volleying by Roddick, who hammered a ball out of the court in his frustration.
After taking the tiebreak, Sela's confidence increased and he kept Roddick guessing by mixing up the pace of his strokes and lobbing effectively.
But the favourite made the decisive break when he managed to pick up a well-played drop-shot and Sela put his attempted pass wide.
Despite his defeat, Sela was satisfied with his performance, saying: "I showed myself that I can play with the big players.
"You know it's a lot of pressure when you play against him because you know you have to keep your serve every time."
The 26-year-old American came through 6-4 6-7 (6-8) 6-3 for the 26th ATP Tour title of his career.
Unseeded Sela, the first Israeli to play an ATP final since 2000, recovered from 4-6 down in the tiebreak to take the match to a deciding set.
But Roddick broke the world number 92 in the sixth game and shortly after closed out the match with his 17th ace.
"I had in the back of my mind that I'd played 30-40 finals and that this was his first one, so I knew that would count for something," said Roddick.
"I wanted to stay in there and compete, even though he was the hot player for the majority of the day. At the end of the day, a win is a win and I'm happy with that," he added.
The first three games of the match passed without a single point against the server, but Sela was eventually broken and that was enough to cost him the set.
Another break saw him trail 3-2 in the second, but the 23-year-old immediately levelled thanks to some wayward volleying by Roddick, who hammered a ball out of the court in his frustration.
After taking the tiebreak, Sela's confidence increased and he kept Roddick guessing by mixing up the pace of his strokes and lobbing effectively.
But the favourite made the decisive break when he managed to pick up a well-played drop-shot and Sela put his attempted pass wide.
Despite his defeat, Sela was satisfied with his performance, saying: "I showed myself that I can play with the big players.
"You know it's a lot of pressure when you play against him because you know you have to keep your serve every time."