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2/22/09 4:49 AM | Ricky Dimon
Andy Roddick survives Lleyton Hewitt in three sets at the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships on Saturday night. Roddick will meet in-form Radek Stepanek for the title.
Lleyton Hewitt confirmed that he is truly back this week in Memphis, but he didn't have quite enough for Andy Roddick in the semifinals of the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships. Roddick defeated Hewitt 2-6, 7-6(4), 6-4 in two hours and 11 minutes on Saturday night to set up a title clash with Radek Stepanek.
After one set, however, it looked like an upset was in the making. Even though Hewitt went into the match with a 6-3 head-to-head record against Roddick, it really would have been a considerable upset since the oft-injured Aussie is down to No. 103 in the world mostly due to physical problems. Roddick, meanwhile, is ranked sixth and seeded first in Memphis. But that's not how the first set played out. Hewitt dominated from start to finish, breaking twice by returning extremely well even when his opponent put in first serves. The two-time Grand Slam champion also rolled on serve, dropping a mere five points in four service games.
Hewitt also did not get broken throughout the entire second set, but Roddick was still able to turn the tide. The Amercan got a look at six break points, and although he converted none, he took care of his six service games (saving two break points) to force a tiebreaker. Roddick seized a quick mini-break for a 2-0 lead and never looked back, sprinting to a 6-2 advantage. Hewitt saved two set points for 4-6, but netted a forehand to ensure that a decisive third set would be needed to decide things.
With momentum in hand, Roddick continued to raise his level--especially on serve--in the final frame of play. A backhand error by Hewitt gave Roddick a critical break at 3-3, and that proved to be enough thanks to some stellar serving. In the third set, the crowd favorite fired six aces, put in 74 percent of his first serves, won 16 of 17 first-serve points, and lost only three points in five service games. Roddick missed two chances to finish off the night with a break at 5-3, but he made amends by serving out the match at love.
"Overall the week was great for me and I played some tough matches and had some good wins," said Hewitt, who ousted James Blake, Chris Guccione, and Christophe Rochus. "The hip held up pretty good and that's important."
Roddick and Stepanek met just last week in the San Jose semifinals, with Stepanek pulling off an upset in three sets. However, the head-to-head series is still 4-1 in Roddick's favor.
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what was with all the line call disputes from a-rod? realize there was 1 maybe 2 in 1st set that were close but by the end of the 2nd and in the 3rd he was complaining about alot of stuff that didn't look like they were his way from the replays. you were there rm, what was your take? despite the costs, they need to get hawkeye for all tourneys 1000 level and up. and at all the courts at GS's not just show courts. maybe take the $$ keep giving to charities & put in HE already. sorry - getting on my high horse.
tenisbebe , 2/22/09 3:29 PM
RD not RM - my bad.
tenisbebe , 2/22/09 3:54 PM
You mean 500 Tourneys up?
Shockwaves , 2/22/09 4:38 PM
yes - thank u - more caffeine is needed.
tenisbebe , 2/22/09 5:45 PM
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kani bilai asarapa upare taan !!!!!!!! this what Roddick can do !!!!
tomnjerry2 , 2/22/09 1:36 PM