Fish shocks Roddick to seal Federer final
Source: Agencies |
August 23, 2010, Monday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
WORLD No. 2 Roger Federer comfortably beat Cypriot Marcos Baghdatis 6-4, 6-3 on Saturday to set up a meeting with American Mardy Fish in the final of the Cincinnati Masters in Mason, Ohio.
Fish had earlier pulled off a surprise turnaround against fellow American Andy Roddick to claim a 4-6, 7-6 (3), 6-1 victory and advance to his third Masters series final.
Federer had an easy route to the last four after a bye, a retirement and a walkover allowed him into the last eight without a full set of tennis.
But the Swiss, the defending champion and a finalist in Toronto last week, looked in good form, playing with the ease and flow for which he is noted, and at the perfect time in his preparation for the US Open, which starts on August 30.
"I didn't get broken today, so that was a first in this Northern American tour for me. It came at the right time," Federer told reporters.
"I thought I played a good match. I was able to mix up my serve well and always kept him off balance. So it kind of worked for me."
Federer's serve was particularly impressive, winning 90 percent of his first service points, which is exactly the part of the game that Fish has been thriving upon this week - setting up a fascinating final.
The Swiss has met Fish six times, with the American winning just once, in their most recent meeting in Indian Wells in 2008.
Fish had been on the verge of defeat against Roddick before a short rain-break offered him a glimmer of hope.
Ninth seed Roddick had served for the match at 5-3 up in the second set before Fish's unlikely comeback began.
The game had been tight in the first set until a 40 minute rain-break disrupted proceedings and on return to the court Roddick broke and took the set.
The big-serving Roddick, who will re-enter the top 10 in the world rankings this week, then put himself in a powerful position by grabbing a 5-2 lead in the second.
With Fish about to serve to stay in the match, rain returned, albeit only for 10 minutes, but once again the stoppage had an impact when they resumed.
Fish held serve then broke Roddick and pushed the set to a tiebreak which he won in style against a floundering opponent.
A visibly riled Roddick never regained his composure and there was only ever one winner in the third set as Fish cruised to a 6-1 victory.
Fish lost both his previous Masters finals, including to Roddick in Cincinnati seven years ago, but has five ATP tour title wins - the most recent in Atlanta, Georgia, last month.
In Montreal, second-seeded Caroline Wozniacki led Svetlana Kuznetsova 2-0 on Saturday in the Rogers Cup semifinals when rain forced the postponement of both semis until yesterday.
In the second semifinal, eighth-seeded Vera Zvonareva of Russia will play Belarus's Victoria Azarenka.
Tournament Director Eugene Lapierre said if play is wiped out again yesterday, when more rain is in the forecast, the semifinals and final will be moved to today.
Fish had earlier pulled off a surprise turnaround against fellow American Andy Roddick to claim a 4-6, 7-6 (3), 6-1 victory and advance to his third Masters series final.
Federer had an easy route to the last four after a bye, a retirement and a walkover allowed him into the last eight without a full set of tennis.
But the Swiss, the defending champion and a finalist in Toronto last week, looked in good form, playing with the ease and flow for which he is noted, and at the perfect time in his preparation for the US Open, which starts on August 30.
"I didn't get broken today, so that was a first in this Northern American tour for me. It came at the right time," Federer told reporters.
"I thought I played a good match. I was able to mix up my serve well and always kept him off balance. So it kind of worked for me."
Federer's serve was particularly impressive, winning 90 percent of his first service points, which is exactly the part of the game that Fish has been thriving upon this week - setting up a fascinating final.
The Swiss has met Fish six times, with the American winning just once, in their most recent meeting in Indian Wells in 2008.
Fish had been on the verge of defeat against Roddick before a short rain-break offered him a glimmer of hope.
Ninth seed Roddick had served for the match at 5-3 up in the second set before Fish's unlikely comeback began.
The game had been tight in the first set until a 40 minute rain-break disrupted proceedings and on return to the court Roddick broke and took the set.
The big-serving Roddick, who will re-enter the top 10 in the world rankings this week, then put himself in a powerful position by grabbing a 5-2 lead in the second.
With Fish about to serve to stay in the match, rain returned, albeit only for 10 minutes, but once again the stoppage had an impact when they resumed.
Fish held serve then broke Roddick and pushed the set to a tiebreak which he won in style against a floundering opponent.
A visibly riled Roddick never regained his composure and there was only ever one winner in the third set as Fish cruised to a 6-1 victory.
Fish lost both his previous Masters finals, including to Roddick in Cincinnati seven years ago, but has five ATP tour title wins - the most recent in Atlanta, Georgia, last month.
In Montreal, second-seeded Caroline Wozniacki led Svetlana Kuznetsova 2-0 on Saturday in the Rogers Cup semifinals when rain forced the postponement of both semis until yesterday.
In the second semifinal, eighth-seeded Vera Zvonareva of Russia will play Belarus's Victoria Azarenka.
Tournament Director Eugene Lapierre said if play is wiped out again yesterday, when more rain is in the forecast, the semifinals and final will be moved to today.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
