Date:26/02/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/02/26/stories/2008022660731900.htm

Sport - Tennis

Roddick clinches SAP Open title

SAN JOSE: The top-seeded Andy Roddick used his overpowering serve to win the SAP Open for the third time in his career, beating the fourth-seeded Radek Stepanek 6-4, 7-5 in the final on Sunday.

Roddick never faced a break point as Stepanek had no answer for his booming serve. The American closed out each set with an ace to win his 24th career title.

The world’s sixth-ranked player had won here in 2004 and ’05.

Stepanek lost his serve at love to open the match and never recovered. Then at 5-all in the second set, Roddick came up with the two big ground strokes to close out the match.

Nalbandian takes title

David Nalbandian defeated Argentinian compatriot Jose Acasuso 3-6, 7-6(5), 6-4 to win the Buenos Aires clay court title and return to the world’s top 10.

Nalbandian, the World No. 11 at the start of the week, clinched his eighth career title and his first on home soil.

“I don’t know why I have never won a tournament in Argentina but I am more than happy,” said Nalbandian, who was watched by football legend Diego Maradona from the stands. “It’s difficult to play a friend,” added Nalbandian. “We have known each other for many years. Today we were adversaries but soon we will be teammates in the Davis Cup.”

The results:

At San Jose (ATP SAP Open): Final: Andy Roddick bt Radek Stepanek 6-4, 7-5.

At Buenos Aires (ATP Copa Telmex): Final: David Nalbandian bt Jose Acasuso 3-6, 7-6(5), 6-4.

At Bogota (WTA Bogota Open): Final: Nuria Llagostera Vives bt Maria Emilia Salerni 6-0, 6-4.

At Memphis (WTA Memphis International): First round: Renata Voracova bt Maret Ani 6-3, 6-7(5), 7-6(3); Sofia Arvidsson bt Severine Bremond 7-6(3), 5-7, 6-1.

At Dubai (WTA Dubai Open): First round: Dinara Safina bt Selima Sfar 6-1, 6-3; Alona Bondarenko bt Maria Kirilenko 3-6, 6-3, 6-2; Elena Dementieva bt Patty Schnyder 7-5, 6-0. — Agencies