Haas Continues Mastery of Roddick in ATP Houston Final

Posted on April 18, 2004

By Tennis-X.com Staff

Unseeded Tommy Haas continued his mastery over Andy Roddick in the Sunday final at the U.S. Claycourts in Houston, improving his career record to 4-0 over the top-seeded American with a 6-3, 6-4 win.

"To play in front of a crowd like that, that's what you play for. They are a great crowd, they love their tennis and it's a great feeling to play here," said Haas, who captured his long sought-after first claycourt title. "I was pretty close in Stuttgart a few years ago, just two points away, so it means a lot to have my first claycourt title but even more because of what I've been through...Overall the shoulder feels good."

For Roddick the loss snapped a streak of wins in eight straight finals. Haas sat out the entire 2003 season after shoulder surgery. Roddick says he'll be back after reaching four consecutive Houston finals.

"I definitely plan to be back," A-Rod said. "Mack's (Tournament Director Jim "Mattress Mack" McIngvale) been great to me over the years and this is a staple on my schedule. It's ended up working out great and it's a place I look forward to coming back to...That was probably the worst I served this tournament. I didn't have a good feel for the off-speed stuff."

In the doubles final, the American tandem of James Blake and Mardy Fish beat fellow Americans Rick Leach and Brian MacPhie 6-3, 6-4 for their second title of the year. "We seem to have pretty good chemistry all the time," Blake said on playing with The Fish. "I think it?s because we are such good friends that if one of us is down the other one is going to cheer him up."