Federer, Roddick to Renew Rivalry in ATP Bangkok Final
Posted on October 3, 2004
World No. 1 Roger Federer and No. 2 Andy Roddick showed why they are a level above the rest of the players on the ATP on Saturday, both gutting out three-set wins at the ATP stop in Bangkok to set up a renewal of their rivalry for the Sunday final.On the line for Federer will be a streak of 11 straight wins in tournament finals. For Roddick, who has lost seven of his eight meetings with Federer, including his last three, it's getting a win to legitimize the "rivalry" once again.
The last man to win 12 consecutive tournament finals was John McEnroe in 1984-85, and before that Bjorn Borg in 1979-80.
Federer put down a comeback by homecounty favorite Paradorn Srichaphan 7-5, 2-6, 6-3 in the first semifinal, then Roddick put down a similar second-set comeback by former No. 1 Marat Safin 7-6(1), 6-7(0), 7-6(2).
Both Roddick and Safin threw down 18 aces in a match that featured no breaks of serve.
"I tried to be aggressive, but he was more aggressive than me in the first set," Roddick said. "So I just went for my shots and got lucky in my second serves. I tried to serve well, because he played better from the baseline."
Srichaphan donned his trademark lucky red shirt for the second set against Federer, racing out to a 4-1 lead, but in the third set Federer broke in the eighth game and ran to the 6-3 win.
"Paradorn was tough and played really well. He won long rallies and made me work hard. The third set was a gamble but I was lucky to get a break," Federer said. "I felt sorry for Paradorn. I understand how much this tournament meant to him."
Federer is not underestimating Roddick in the final despite his domination.
"Roddick is going to be a tough one," the Swiss said. "It's interesting to play him again in another final, it's (No.) 1 playing 2 in the world, you have to expect this. It will be very special."
Roddick wouldn't give away any new strategy he might employ against the world No. 1. The American is 1-5 career when facing the No. 1 player on the ATP Rankings.
"I'm very excited playing Roger, I'm really looking forward to playing him," Roddick said. "I've played really well the last two times we've played and it will be a matter of converting the big points and I hope they go my way. It's tough to find a strategy, he has no obvious weaknesses, he was so confident. I get up for playing him, he's played great tennis against me so I certainly think there's something to it."
The doubles final will be Americans Gimelstob/Oliver (d. (4)Kerr/Thomas 7-6(5) in the semifinals) against Federer and countryman Yves Allegro (d. Aspelin/Landsberg).
Volandri Attempting First Win by Italian at Palermo in 20 Years
No. 5-seeded Italian Filippo Volandri defeated unseeded Argentine Juan "The Principality" Monaco 6-1, 6-4 Saturday in the final at the ATP stop in Palermo, setting himself up to end a 20-year Italian title drought.
The last Italian player to win in Palermo was Francesco Cancellotti in 1984. Palermo is the last claycourt event for 2004 on the ATP circuit.
"It was important not to have a letdown after the win against Massu (in the quarterfinals)," Volandri said. "Monaco is already a very good player and he was a dangerous opponent. I lost my concentration only once, when I got broken serving at 4-3 in the second set, but I recovered immediately."
Volandri is seeking his second career title after winning his first this year on clay at St. Poelten in May.
In the final Volandri will face 19-year-old No. 8 seed Tomas Berdych, the first Czech player to contest an ATP final this year. Berdych upset No. 7-seeded Spaniard Dave Ferrer 7-5, 6-4.
Volandri beat Berdych in their only meeting earlier this year.
"I played Berdych in St. Poelten and won easily but he has improved a lot since then," Volandri said. "He has big serve and forehand, the key is to move him around the court."
In the doubles final, Arnold/Hood defeated Etlis/Rodriguez 7-5, 6-2 in the all-Argentine final for their third title of the year.
Canas Big Favorite in ATP Shanghai Final
No. 3 seed Guillermo Canas of Argentina will be the favorite for his third title of the year Sunday when he faces unseeded German Lars Burgsmuller at the ATP stop in Shanghai.
Canas upset No. 2 seed Jiri Novak 6-1, 6-2 Saturday, while Burgsmuller defeated fellow un-seed Kenneth Carlsen of Denmark 7-5, 6-3.
Canas is 2-0 in finals this year, winning in Stuttgart (d. Gaudio) and Umag (d. Volandri). Shanghai is the first event in 2004 that Burgsmuller has gotten past the second round.
"I know how he is playing," said Burgsmuller on playing Canas for the first time. "I saw his matches, like against Novak. He attacks with the forehand."
The doubles final will be Americans Leach/MacPhie against No. 2 seeds Palmer/Vizner.
Chinese Li Advances to First Final at WTA Guangzhou
Chinese qualifier Na Li defeated wildcard countrywoman Ting Li 6-3, 6-3 Saturday to become the first Chinese woman to advance to a WTA final in six years.
"I'm very happy and proud to have reached my first WTA Tour final and to have it happen in my home country," Li said. "I've played well this week and look forward to tomorrow."
In the final Li will take on unseeded Slovak Martina "Nurse, I Need a" Sucha, who defeated fellow un-seeded Czech Barbora Strycova 6-2, 7-5. It will be the first meeting between Li and Sucha.
The doubles final will be all-Chinese in Yang/Yu vs. T.Li/Sun.
Clijsters Re-Injured, All-Russian Final at WTA Hasselt
Speculation that former No. 1 Kim Clijsters was returning too soon with her injured wrist proved true Saturday when the Belgian retired in the semifinals with her No. 3-seeded Russian opponent Elena "Lena" Bovina leading 6-4, 2-2.
Clijsters had surgery on the wrist in June, and had not played on tour in four months.
"It's not yet clear what has happened," said Marc Dehous, Clijsters's coach. "Her tendon might possibly be torn again. During the two previous matches Kim wasn't hindered by the injury at all, but today she felt something was wrong while she returned a serve of Bovina. It might be that Kim won't be playing any more this year."
Bovina hit most of her shots during the match to the Clijsters' backhand, and the Belgian resorted to hitting one-handed slices after the wrist started hurting her.
"I'm not very happy to win the match like this," Bovina said. "I've been injured before and I know what she's going through. It's very frustrating and I hope to see her back on the court healthy again soon. To tell you the truth, I still think she was better than most players playing with only one hand."
It will be the fourth all-Russian final on tour Sunday when Bovina faces Elena Dementieva, who defeated unseeded Italian Maria Elena Camerin 6-3, 6-3.
Dementieva is 0-3 in finals in 2004.
Bovina spanked Dementieva 6-1, 6-1 in their last meeting at New Haven right before the US Open.
"I'm looking forward to the final tomorrow," Bovina said. "I beat Elena easily last time when I won New Haven, but she's been in great form at the US Open and loves playing indoors.
The doubles final will be between Spaniards Nuria Llagostera Vives and Marta Marrero and Jennifer Russell and Mara Santangelo.
Sharapova Faces Unseeded Domachowska in WTA Seoul Final
Top-seeded Maria Sharapova pounded unseeded Anne "Kosmo" Kremer of Luxembourg 6-0, 6-2 Saturday to advance to the final at the WTA stop at Seoul.
"I think I easily won the semifinal because of my good condition" Sharapova said. "Kremer couldn't keep up with me today."
In the final the Russian will face No. 100-ranked Marta Domachowska, who gained the final by defeating unseeded American Abigail "Oops I Did It Again" Spears 7-6(5), 6-1.
The doubles final will be Korea's Cho/Jeon against the Taipei team of Chuang/Hsieh.
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