The Hindu : Roddick retains title

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Apr 30, 2002

Sport

Sport - Tennis

Roddick retains title

American Andy Roddick essays a double-fisted backhand return in his summit clash with compatriot Pete Sampras at the U.S. claycourt championships in Houston on Sunday. Roddick won in straight sets to retain the title. — AP

HOUSTON April 29. American Andy Roddick outslugged countryman Pete Sampras to successfully defend his title in the U.S. men's claycourt championship, rolling to a 7-6 (11-9), 6-3 victory on Sunday.

The 19-year-old Roddick had 13 aces to 12 for Sampras, who was trying to win a tournament for the first time since his seventh Wimbledon title in 2000. Sampras is winless in 25 events.

``Obviously, it's so much fun to play against someone who was one of my heroes growing up,'' Roddick said. ``It's fun when you can come out and hit some balls.''

Later, Roddick teamed with Mardy Fish to beat Jan-Michael Gambill and Graydon Oliver 6-4, 6-4 for the doubles title. Roddick became the only player on the ATP tour this year to win both singles and doubles titles in the same tournament.

Against Sampras, most of the action took place in the first set as both players refused to give in on their serves. Sampras fought off four set points before he missed a volley charging in behind his serve at the fifth break point. ``I wasn't getting down in the first set because I was hitting my shots,'' Roddick said.

Roddick, who lost only one set in five matches in the tournament, is 2-0 against Sampras, including a 7-6 (7-2), 6-3 victory last year.

Sampras slowed in the second set and Roddick broke Sampras in the eighth game of the second set when Sampras hit a forehand into the net.

Roddick boosted his career record in Houston to 12-0 and won it at the first match point when Sampras' backhand service return was long. Sampras had a break point in the game but then made two straight errors to bring the match to the final point.

Sampras was upbeat despite the loss. Sampras threw his racket in mock anger in the sixth game of the second set when former President George Bush entered the stadium, holding up play briefly.

"When I saw President Bush, I knew I was in trouble,'' Sampras said, joking. ``No, Andy really played a great first set. I had a couple of chances to squeak it out but Andy was great.''

Roddick won the title a year ago and led the United States Davis Cup team to a quarterfinals victory over Spain three weeks ago.

``I just played someone who is going to win a lot of Grand Slam tournaments,'' Sampras said. ``I think the future of American tennis is bright.'' — AP

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