Roddick wins Queen's
ByReuters
Published 12/06/2005 at 21:50 GMT
Andy Roddick won his third successive Stella Artois title with a tight 7-6 7-6 victory over towering Croatian Ivo Karlovic on Sunday. The American joined John McEnroe and Lleyton Hewitt as the only players to win three titles in a row at the Wimbledon warm-up event.
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"I absolutely love playing here, and to be part of history here now is incredible... I'll be back here next year for sure," said Roddick, after triumphing at the 680,250 euros event.
"Ivo's serve is probably the biggest weapon in tennis... that was not fun at times. We knew it was going to be that kind of match, just a few chances here or there."
Karlovic, who has a severe stutter, asked television presenter and former professional tennis player Sue Barker to speak a few words for him.
"Ivo said win or lose, this was going to be the best momentof his career... he has done himself so proud," she said.
Playing his first ATP-level final, Karlovic, at 6ft 10ins the tallest man in professional tennis, showed no sign of nerves but was outplayed on the big points by his more experienced opponent.
The tournament, however, has been a big success for the Croatian whose world ranking of 77 will improve after victories over top seed Hewitt and former Australian Open champion Thomas Johansson.
MAMMOTH REACH
Karlovic, a first round loser on 10 occasions in 2005, had beaten just three players all year heading into Queen's but his massive serve and mammoth reach are ideally suited to grass court tennis.
Roddick made a fast start, holding serve comfortably as gray clouds closed in on the grasscourt club while Karlovic was forced to fight off three break points from love-40 in his opening service game.
The Croatian matched Roddick serve for serve, game for game until the opening set reached a tiebreak.
Roddick snatched the first mini-break for a 2-1 lead when he latched on to a crosscourt backhand volley and punched it down the line with his two-hander.
The second seed stretched into a 4-1 lead with a couple of service winners. Karlovic saved two set points on his serve to trail 5-6 and levelled the tiebreak when Roddick's forehand slapped into the net on his third set point.
Roddick earned another set point which Karlovic saved with his seventh ace before Roddick sealed the set two points later, powering a serve onto the Croatian's backhand which Karlovic
lifted wide.
The second set followed a similar pattern to the first as both men held serve comfortably.
Again, nothing could separate the pair. Momentum swung first one way and then the other as neither man could get to grips with his opponent's delivery.
Former world number one Roddick looked more likely to break through but whenever he was given a glimpse of a break, Karlovic slammed the door shut with a serve skidding off the lush lawns.
Again the set reached a tiebreak and again Roddick grabbed the first mini-break as he streaked into a 3-0 lead. He racked up three championship points at 6-3 and missed the first but took the second before letting out a victory roar and raising his arms to the grey skies.
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