Brisbane International Tennis - Australian Open Series

Roddick to play Stepanek in men’s final

Roddick to play Stepanek in men’s final

AAP/Image: SMP Images Saturday 9 January 2010 14 Comments »

Top seed Andy Roddick has endured some anxious moments before winning through to the Brisbane International final.

The world No.7 initially had no answer to the fourth-seeded Czech Tomas Berdych before turning it around to win their semifinal 1-6 6-3 6-4.

He will meet defending champion Radek Stepanek in Sunday’s final at Pat Rafter Arena.

Second-seeded Czech Stepanek kept his title defence on track in emphatic fashion, brushing aside injury-hampered Frenchman Gael Monfils 6-2 6-1 earlier on Saturday.

The signs were ominous for Roddick when he was broken for the first time in the tournament – ending a run of 30 straight service games – in his opening service game by the powerhouse Czech.

Berdych kept his foot on the throat to break again and lead 5-0 before Roddick finally held his serve, appearing to spark a mini-revival.

Roddick held two break points in the seventh game, only for Berdych to again overpower the American and snatch the first set in 34 minutes.

The players appeared to switch clothes in the second set as Roddick assumed the dominant role, reeling off the first three games before Berdych finally held his serve – but only after saving three break points.

Roddick maintained the rage to take the second in 47 minutes.

The third set went on serve until Roddick broke through in the ninth game to go up 5-4, and the American duly served out the match.

Earlier, world No.12 Stepanek, 31, was merciless against Monfils after the third seed appeared to switch off while nursing a shoulder injury.

While Monfils had his right shoulder strapped, Stepanek preferred to describe his semifinal win as a “mental” victory.

“Everybody has small issues every week and in our first tournament already people are receiving treatment,” Stepanek said.

“But I don’t think anyone I played, it [injury] affected the match.

“When I broke him [Monfils] to go 4-0 up in the second set … I think he knew breaking me twice to get back into the match would be a very difficult thing.

“I think I also broke him mentally then.”

World No.13 Monfils, 23, said he had not yet decided whether to contest next week’s Sydney International ahead of the Australian Open.

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  • lizzieva

    COME ON ANDY!!! Beat Stepanek in the final!!!

  • lydia

    GO ANDY YOU RIPPER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • http://satellitebadmintonclub.site11.com/ Mike

    Phew! It's sometimes hard watching Andy play sometimes, especially when he was exchanging shots with Tomas from the baseline. Like the commentators said, he can sometimes hang back too much waiting for the opponent to make the mistakes. Looking forward to seeing a more aggressive Andy in the finals.

  • Kristina

    Congrats Andy on reaching the Brisbane final and your first for 2010. Exciting today, though a little nervewracking in the first set but like you said Berdych played well. I'm glad you hung in there and fought through and came out with a deserved win.

    Play well against Stepanek on Sunday in the final and bring home the Brisbane International title.

    Go Andy!!!

  • Julie

    Yo, Go Andy!!! Congrats on your win today, it was a tough match but i knew if you could just hang in there you would come thru. Good-luck for your finals match against Stepanek…hopefully you will emerge as the winner of the Brisbane International 2010.

  • http://twitter.com/OfficialRoddick Andy Roddick

    Yeah! Go Andy! Congrats on your win today, it was a tough match but i knew if you could just hang in there you would come thru. Good-luck for your finals match against Stepanek…hopefully you will emerge as the winner

  • Petr

    Radek good job, I hope you will crush Andy, my wife is american, but I am Czech !!!:-)

  • joycesalemma

    Andy, keep your head on straight. Focus on beating Radek. I'm pulling for you.

  • Mary

    Congrats on reaching the final Andy,great fight back today.Good luck against Stepanek.Go Andy!

  • BETTY GROOM

    I THINK SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT THE SUN ON THE PLAYERS, IT IS VERY HARD ON THEM TO PLAY IN THE PRESENT CONDITIONS. RODDRICK HAD TWO GAMES TO PLAY ON SATURDAY AND THEN FOLLOW UP ON SUNDAY MORNING, WAS VERY VERY PUNISHING, FOR TOP WORLD TENNIS PLAYERS, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY DON'T HAVE TO COME TO BRISANE, THEY HAVE A CHOICE. WHY RISK LOOSING TOP PLAYERS BECAUSE THE VENUE IS LACKING ON SUCH A COMFORT ISSUE.

  • kenholthusen

    The sun can also be a major negative to many of the spectators, taking away much of the enjoyment of a good day out at the tennis. Many spectators are older and unable to take the equivalent of the Simpson Desert. Whoever designed the place made a major blue that needs fixing.

    Ken

  • nath1219

    good luck to andy and stepanik im sure andy learn his mistake in court and reckon ready to face stepanik to get win but we cant say the ball is circle…stepanik is damn smart and good player.

  • M.Eden

    I am so annoyed – even though we have a new digital TV, we are unable to view th final of the Brisbane International Tennis on Channel 7. Instead, there is just the preliminary round from Sydney. How absurd is this??

  • Kristy

    Totally agree with you!! Even worse they show it as the last game for the day.. and then decide victorian viewers have leave in the second set 4-0, Andy's way to go and watch the news!! GRRR it was a Mens FINAL! Very Very disappointed- especially when i have been waiting since 12pm to view the match hearing all day *mens final coming up soon..*. Certainly not impressed.

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