Roddick makes dream final

ByEurosport

Published 09/09/2006 at 16:14 GMT

Andy Roddick held off a strong challenge from Mikhail Youzhny to set up a dream final against Roger Federer with a 6-7 6-0 7-6 6-3 win at Flushing Meadow on Saturday evening. The ninth-seeded American overcame a few early nerves to end Youzhny's surprise

2006, Andy Roddick

Image credit: Imago

Youzhny took the first set on the tiebreak with some superb all-court play, before the American, roared on by a vocal, partisan New Tork crowd, hit back to take the second set in just 22 minutes.

The third set was a much tighter affair, but while Roddick was beginning to look untouchable on his serve, there were signs that Youzhny was tiring after what has been a tough tournament.

Roddick twice had to serve to stay in the set, but did so comfortably and then powered through the tie-break to ram home his advantage.

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With his new coach Jimmy Connors playing every point with him from the sidelines Roddick looked the much the stronger as the match entered the fourth.

And a crucial break at 4-4 gave the American the chance to serve out the match - although three stunning passes from Youzhny on successive match-points delayed the inevitable.

Roddick finally closed out the win when he punched a solid volley in to the corner to end the Russian's resistence.

"It means the world to me," Roddick said afterwards.

"(After the first set) I tried to step into my shots a little. I took a page out of a guy named Andre Agassi's book and stepped inside the baseline.

"Now I will enjoy this for about five minutes, have lots to eat tonight, get some rest and then try to come out here tomorrow and win a U.S. Open."

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