Fed edges out A-Rod
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ByEurosport
Published 14/11/2006 at 13:33 GMT
Roger Federer fought back from a set-down to overcome Andy Roddick and book his place in the semi-finals of the Masters Cup with a 4-6, 7-6 6-4 win. It was far from a classic performance, but Federer overcame a poor start and some heavy serving from the A
TENNIS, Roger Federer
Image credit: Reuters
Roddick capitalised on a host of uncharacteristic errors from the Swiss star to take the first set, with a almost perfect serving performance driving home a crucial early break.
Federer raised his game in the second, but was still far from his best and looked unable to put any pressure on the American fifth seed's serve.
Roddick moved in to a two-point lead in the seemingly inevitable tie-break, but Federer moved up a gear to fight back and win 10-8.
Federer took advantage as Roddick began to tire in the final set, breaking to take a 2-1 lead with some sensational running-passes.
Roddick tried everything in his bid to find a way to break back, sticking gamely to his tactic of getting in to the net at every opportunity, but Federer held on and ruthlessly closed out the match with three aces in his final service game.
"It's just frustrating," Roddick said afterwards. "You know, I was real close tonight. I think that makes it a little bit harder, knowing you're one of your best shots away, you know, one serve away. That's not easy.
"You know, right now with the progress I've made over the last four or five months, I feel like I'm only getting better each time I step out there on the court," he said.
"It's tough right now, you know. But at the same time I remember where I was four or five months ago as far as my career. It definitely feels like it's on the upswing tonight.
"For the first time in a while, I'm not getting further away," he added.
The top two qualifiers from each group will progress through to the semi-finals, where the winner of each group will face the runner-up of the other for a place in next Sunday's final.
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