Andy Roddick defeated Tomas Berdych on Sunday in Key Biscayne, Florida, to win his first Masters 1000 title in almost 4 years. It marks his 4th Masters 1000 title and his second win at Key Biscayne where he also won back in 2004. It also gives him a record this year of 26-4, which is the best men's record so far.
In his first such win since 2006, 6th seed Roddick beat Berdych 7-5, 6-4. At 6' 5", Berdych was kept on the defensive by repeatedly having to return low balls thanks to the Roddick's impressive backhand. At one point during the 9th game, Berdych was so off-rhythm that he'd lost track of their scores and prepared to serve from the incorrect side of the court.
Roddick managed 13 aces and only dropped 2 service games winning 5 games in a row at one point. He managed to make only 16 unforced errors. Known for his powerful serve, he varied his approach in this tournament. At one point during the tournament he hit a serve at 143 miles per hour. But he didn't come close to a serve that powerful while playing Berdych.
Roddick said that the last month has been a good one. After a disappointing 2008, Roddick was questioning whether his best play was behind him. He hadn't won a Grand Slam title since his first in 2003. But after hiring a new coach, Larry Stefanki, near the end of 2008, he's gotten faster and leaner, and plays a better game, not just relying on the serve to get him through. He was a runner up at Indian Wells just two weeks ago.
Berdych was seeded at 16 and had defeated #1 player Roger Federer already in this tournament during round 4, an accomplishment any day, but especially since this was only the second time he'd managed to make it to a Masters 1000 final. Though his service game was poor at only 48% successful, he admitted that Roddick won because he played better. Berdych said Roddick was strong and changing up the serves, and that he really didn't have a chance during the match.
Roddick moved away from his usual approach of pounding the other player with powerful serves and instead focused more on the actual game play, with many serves that ended up being rallied back and forth a dozen times. One ball was in play for 29 rallies. This type of play is a game-changer for Roddick, making him a more well-rounded player and giving him the chance, some say, to have his best years in tennis from here on out.
During the tournament, another player announced his retirement. Guillermo Canas is best known for defeating top-ranked Roger Federer at Indian Wells in 2007, ending Federer's impressive streak of won matches at 41. Then Canas defeated him 10 days later at this tournament, which is where he decided to regretfully announce his retirement. Canas has suffered from wrist pain for over a year, and has opted not to have a 5th surgery.
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