Roddick Beats Berdych for First Masters Title Since 2006
by Ben Rothenberg on Apr 7, 2010 5:08 AM EDT
in Results
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Like most matches between these two players, it was a fairly straightforward serving exhibition.
And like most matches between these two players, it was the American who emerged victorious.
With a break in each set, #6 Andy Roddick defeated #16 Tomas Berdych 7-5, 6-4 to win the Sony Ericsson Open in Key Biscayne.
Despite his prowess on American hard courts, Roddick had not so much as made the final nine American Masters Series events he entered. But his fortunes have certainly changed in 2010, making the final of Indian Wells two weeks ago, and winning Miami for the second time in his career on Sunday. It's his second title of 2010, making Roddick the third ATP player to win two titles this year (and the first to not have both be of the lowly 250 variety).
Roddick did not face a break point during the entire match, thanks not only to his serve, but also to his incredibly deft use of the backhand slice shot that has really developed into a weapon under Larry Stefanki's tutelage.
Berdych played pretty decently in the final, and should be incredibly happy with his week, which included impressive wins over Roger Federer, Fernando Verdasco, and Robin Soderling. If he can keep playing this well, no reason he can't make a lot of noise the rest of the year. He has no weak surface to speak of, so the clay shouldn't slow his momentum much.
Roddick, too, could make a fair amount of noise on clay. He's made it deep into Masters events in both Rome and Madrid in the last couple of years, and he's playing better now than he was then. With the right draws, Roddick could actually play up to his rankings on a consistent basis on clay for the first time in his career this year.
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Go Roddick!!!!
Hope he continues to improve on clay, like he did last year and can advance deep at Roland Garros.
"We're starting to get into Plush mode," Nyjer Morgan said
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