Committed to PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO KNOW
Vol. 5 Num 67 Mon. August 02, 2004  
   
Sports


Federer, Roddick in dream final


Roger Federer and Andy Roddick stormed into a re-run of last month's Wimbledon title match Saturday, each blowing past opponents to set up a grudge-match final at the 2.5-million-dollar Masters Series.

Federer, current king of the game who has won his last nine finals, 22 matches in a row and past three tournaments, did his part with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory over Swede Thomas Johansson.

Roddick, runner-up to the Swiss at the All England club a month ago, followed on as he polished a 3-0 career mark against German grinder Nicolas Kiefer, winning their semifinal 7-5, 6-3.

It was the second meeting between that pair after Roddick lifted the Indianapolis trophy last weekend over the 25th-ranked Kiefer.

Victory in one hour, 22 minutes was the longest of the week for Roddick and gave the defending champion a third victory against Kiefer.

"I'm excited to be through in final," said Roddick, winner of 18 straight on cement.

"It should be a great match, Roger and I look forward to playing each other We bring out the best in each other -- and I owe him one from Wimbledon."

The 21-year-old American, who is bidding to duplicate a torrid summer, 2003 run which led to four titles including the US Open, won his 38th match of the season on his preferred hardcourt surface, improving to 19-2 in Canada.

Kiefer put up a fight in the first set, forcing Roddick to save three break points in the fifth game.

The German salvaged two set points in the tenth game, levelling for 5-all before Roddick pounced.

Two games later, the American put Kiefer into a 0-30 hole, then managed to more set-winning chances. The German saved the first but netted a forehand to lose it.

The tide turned in the second set with Roddick running off with through a break in the sixth game.

Top seed Federer, is now a win away from claiming four trophies in succession.

That figure would by definition include three straight on three different surfaces, duplicating a mark last set by Bjorn Borg in 1979 who earned his own hat-trick on grass, clay and hard-court.

Federer now stands 56-4 this season, winning 30 of his last 31 with his last defeat coming against Gustavo Kuerten at Roland Garros.

Picture
THAT'S IT! World number one Roger Federer of Switzerland celebrates his win over Sweden's Thomas Johansson during the semifinals of the Toronto Tennis Masters on July 31. Federer defeated Johansson 4-6, 6-3, 6-2. PHOTO: AFP