SYDNEY - American Andy Roddick survived a determined fightback from defending champion Radek Stepanek to win the Brisbane International final yesterday.
SYDNEY - American Andy Roddick survived a determined fightback from defending champion Radek Stepanek to win the Brisbane International final yesterday.
Roddick was forced to dig deep after throwing away a substantial second set lead before finally beating the Czech 7-6 7-6 at the Pat Rafter Arena.
Everything looked to be going smoothly for Roddick, playing his first tournament since a knee injury cut short his 2009 season last September.
He won the opening set in a tiebreak after all games had gone with serve and opened up a commanding 5-1 lead in the second before he suddenly got the wobbles.
He twice failed to serve out the match as Stepanek forced a second tiebreak then faltered again as he neared the finish line. Roddick made a great start and built a 6-1 lead to have five match points, but he blew the lot before eventually winning 9-7.
"It was weird. I don't think I have squandered a lead where I have been putting in first serves and making approach shots," Roddick said.
"And in the breakers it was the same deal. I kept making first serves so that was helping me hold on to the last shred of sanity I had. But at the end of the day the only thing that will be remembered is the 'w' (win)." - Reuters
Roddick wins Brisbane final
SYDNEY - American Andy Roddick survived a determined fightback from defending champion Radek Stepanek to win the Brisbane International final yesterday.
SYDNEY - American Andy Roddick survived a determined fightback from defending champion Radek Stepanek to win the Brisbane International final yesterday.
Roddick was forced to dig deep after throwing away a substantial second set lead before finally beating the Czech 7-6 7-6 at the Pat Rafter Arena.
Everything looked to be going smoothly for Roddick, playing his first tournament since a knee injury cut short his 2009 season last September.
He won the opening set in a tiebreak after all games had gone with serve and opened up a commanding 5-1 lead in the second before he suddenly got the wobbles.
He twice failed to serve out the match as Stepanek forced a second tiebreak then faltered again as he neared the finish line. Roddick made a great start and built a 6-1 lead to have five match points, but he blew the lot before eventually winning 9-7.
"It was weird. I don't think I have squandered a lead where I have been putting in first serves and making approach shots," Roddick said.
"And in the breakers it was the same deal. I kept making first serves so that was helping me hold on to the last shred of sanity I had. But at the end of the day the only thing that will be remembered is the 'w' (win)." - Reuters
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos