Roddick win dashes Federer's hopes
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Roddick lost control after a disputed line call.
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HOUSTON, U.S. (Reuters) -- Andy Roddick's determination to end the year with the No. 1 world ranking saw him open his ATP Masters Cup account in Houston with a 6-2 3-6 6-3 win over Spain's Carlos Moya.
He needed a tense 95 minutes to gain his first Masters victory, which thwarted Wimbledon champion Roger Federer's hopes of taking top spot.
It was Roddick's first match since a semifinal loss to Tim Henman in Paris, where he took possession of the top spot -- and his only remaining rival is Spain's Juan Carlos Ferrero.
"It's just a relief to get through the first one with a win," Roddick said.
"It keeps it from being an uphill battle, especially with the race for number one being so close. Every match win is very big."
Having spent the last week in New York rehearsing to host "Saturday Night Live," Roddick was back on a more familiar stage and showed no signs of rust as he stormed through the first set to the delight of pop star girlfriend Mandy Moore, who applauded her approval from the front row.
However, any thoughts Roddick had of a quick win disappeared, along with the U.S. Open champion's composure, in the second set.
Serving at 0-1, Roddick flew into a red-faced rage on a disputed line call, losing his concentration and control of the match as Moya went on to break and jump back into the contest.
Agitated, Roddick continued to be distracted by the call, swearing repeatedly and arguing with chair umpire Mike Morrissey during the changeover, as the veteran Spaniard seized his opportunity leveling the match at one-set all.
"It affected me the next game," admitted Roddick. "I probably should have kept it together a little bit more and not hit an angry double-fault.
"But luckily I was able to recover in time for the third set.
Struggling to regain command of his churning emotions and the match, Roddick finally wrestled back control of the contest late in the third set breaking Moya to go up 5-3, then holding serve to clinch the win.
Solid effort
Other than losing his temper, Roddick produced a solid effort in his first match on American soil since his U.S. Open triumph, thundering 14 aces past the seventh-ranked Spaniard.
Texas has provided a happy hunting ground for Roddick, who claimed what was then his second career title last year in Houston while advancing to the final of this year's event, making him the fan favorite at this $3.65 million season finale.
Earlier in the day in other Red Group action, Germany's Rainer Schuettler survived an uneven performance on what he claims is an uneven court beating Guillermo Coria 6-3 4-6 6-2.
Critical of what he labelled a slanted stadium court, Schuettler and his Argentine opponent both struggled to find their rhythm during the roller-coaster two hour, 25 minute match.
The Blue Group will take center stage on Wednesday as round-robin play continues with Switzerland's Federer taking on Argentine David Nalbandian and Andre Agassi facing Ferrero in a rematch of their U.S. Open semi-final.
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Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
