Federer beat Andy roddick

Federer Advances
Federer Advances
Roger Federer defeats Andy Roddick, advancing to Australia Open finalTags: Tennis
Laver On Federer
Laver On Federer
Rod Laver discusses what makes Roger Federer greatTags: Tennis
MELBOURNE, Australia -- Roger Federer moved within one victory of tying Pete Sampras' record of 14th Grand Slam titles by dominating Andy Roddick 6-2, 7-5, 7-5 Thursday to reach the Australian Open final.

Mark Kolbe/Getty ImagesRoger Federer reached his 18th career Grand Slam final with Thursday's semifinal win over Andy Roddick.
Roddick, who undertook a rigorous offseason training regime designed to help him beat Federer and top-ranked Rafael Nadal, was in good form.
But the second-ranked Federer outplayed him in every phase of the game. Ripping winners from all over the court and usually forcing Roddick to hit more than one good shot to win a point, he even had more aces than the hard-serving American, 16-8.
"I served well in the first set and that gave me a lot of confidence," Federer said. "I was moving well and getting a lot of balls back and making it difficult for Andy to get the upper hand from the baseline. That was kind of what I was hoping for."
Federer, seeking his fourth Australian title, will face the winner of Friday's semifinal between Nadal and fellow Spanish left-hander Fernando Verdasco.
"I don't have to wait to see who wins, I can start preparing for a lefty tonight," Federer said.
Grand Slammed
Like most men's tennis players not named Rafael Nadal, Andy Roddick has not fared well against Roger Federer when the two have met in Grand Slam tournaments.
Tournament
Round
Winner (sets)
2009 Australian
Semis
Federer (3)
2007U.S. Open
Quarters
Federer (3)
2007 Australian
Semis
Federer (3)
2006U.S. Open
Final
Federer (4)
2005 Wimbledon
Final
Federer (3)
2004 Wimbledon
Final
Federer (4)
2003 Wimbledon
Semis
Federer (3)
By the time Federer and Roddick were on court in the evening, temperatures had dropped to 91 degrees from 112 in the afternoon -- news reports called it Melbourne's hottest January day since 1939 -- so the retractable roof was open.
That would seem to have given Roddick, who grew up in the heat of Texas and Florida, an edge. Against a hot Federer, it didn't matter. A behind-the-back hit right to the ballboy after a Roddick fault in the first game was a dead giveaway.
Although Roddick won their last meeting, Federer held a 15-2 edge over him coming into the match.
"The last time I lost, so coming into this match there was a bit of pressure," Federer said.
It didn't show. Instead, this one played out like many of the Swiss star's previous victories.
Blunting Roddick's blistering serves, Federer broke twice in the first set. Adding to Roddick's frustration was a call that went against him as Federer served at 4-1.
A Federer shot was called out, but he successfully challenged. Chair umpire Enric Molina ruled that Roddick couldn't have gotten to the ball and gave the point to Federer. Roddick argued he stopped running when he heard the "out" call, and he had a running dialogue with Molina during several changeovers.

Paul Crock/AFP/Getty ImagesDespite some flashes of brilliance, Andy Roddick has yet to solve Roger Federer in a Grand Slam.
With both players holding easily in the second set, a tiebreaker loomed with Roddick serving at 5-5. Federer broke at love, then easily held with Roddick failing to get a serve return back in play.
"Let's not kid ourselves," Roddick said. "You're down two sets to him and scraping, trying to survive. I hit the ball pretty well. He just came up with shots when he needed to. That's what he does."
Roddick had 38 winners, only 18 unforced errors and two double faults.
After serving a double-fault at 2-2 in the third set, Roddick got a warning for an audible obscenity and told Molina: "I take back the apology."
Roddick served again at 5-5 in the third set, and Federer -- who seems to come up with his best tennis under pressure -- broke again. He easily held, finishing off the match with a forehand down the line -- his 51st winner to just 15 unforced errors.
"Towards the end of the tournament, I think this is where you should judge a great player," Federer said.