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Federer fightback beats Roddick Federer fightback beats Roddick
(30 minutes later)
World number one Roger Federer saved three match points to beat Andy Roddick in a two-and-a-half-hour thriller at the Masters Cup in Shanghai.World number one Roger Federer saved three match points to beat Andy Roddick in a two-and-a-half-hour thriller at the Masters Cup in Shanghai.
In a match of high quality, Roddick took the first set 6-4 and had three set points in the second-set tie-break.In a match of high quality, Roddick took the first set 6-4 and had three set points in the second-set tie-break.
But the Swiss player managed to save them all before taking the tie-break to level the Red Group match.But the Swiss player managed to save them all before taking the tie-break to level the Red Group match.
One break early in the third set was enough to give him a 4-6 7-6 (10-8) 6-4 win, his eighth in a row over Roddick.One break early in the third set was enough to give him a 4-6 7-6 (10-8) 6-4 win, his eighth in a row over Roddick.
606 DEBATE: Can Federer win the Masters Cup? 606 DEBATE: Can Federer win the Masters Cup?
The American has now lost 12 of the 13 times he has faced Federer.The American has now lost 12 of the 13 times he has faced Federer.
It was also Federer's 14th straight win in the Masters Cup and he is virtually assured of reaching the semi-finals, having also won his opening round-robin match against Nalbandian. It was also Federer's 14th straight win in the Masters Cup and he is virtually assured of reaching the semi-finals, having also won his opening round-robin match against David Nalbandian.
He said: "It's hard to control against Andy when he's serving so big like in the first two sets. I know I got a bit lucky.
"Early on in the tie-break when I was down 4-1 and him serving I thought, well, it's probably not my day, I'm not playing that great and he's not giving me a chance, so I guess that's it.
"But I told myself maybe I can make him nervous by just staying in the match.
"That's what happened. I don't know if he got nervous or it just went my way in the end, but it was really close, that's for sure."
With the progress I've made over the last four or five months, I feel I'm getting better each time I step out on the court Andy Roddick
Roddick was left to rue his missed chances, saying: "I put myself in a position to win. It's tough right now."Roddick was left to rue his missed chances, saying: "I put myself in a position to win. It's tough right now."
The world number five rounded on a Chinese journalist who suggested his tactic of coming to the net was a liability.The world number five rounded on a Chinese journalist who suggested his tactic of coming to the net was a liability.
"My serve-and-volley game put me one point away (from winning) and you're saying it didn't work?" asked Roddick."My serve-and-volley game put me one point away (from winning) and you're saying it didn't work?" asked Roddick.
"I suggest learning something about tennis before you comment on it.""I suggest learning something about tennis before you comment on it."
Roddick said his disappointment was tempered by the improvement in his game since he has been working with Jimmy Connors.
"With the progress I've made over the last four or five months, I feel I'm getting better each time I step out on the court," he said. "It's tough right now, but at the same time I remember where I was four or five months ago as far as my career. It definitely feels like it's on the upswing. "For the first time in a while, I'm not getting further away," he added.
Tuesday's other match pits David Nalbandian against Ivan Ljubicic.Tuesday's other match pits David Nalbandian against Ivan Ljubicic.


Red Group: Roger Federer (Swi), Ivan Ljubicic (Cro), Andy Roddick (USA), David Nalbandian (Arg)Red Group: Roger Federer (Swi), Ivan Ljubicic (Cro), Andy Roddick (USA), David Nalbandian (Arg)
Gold Group: Rafael Nadal (Spa), Nikolay Davydenko (Rus), Tommy Robredo (Spa), James Blake (USA)Gold Group: Rafael Nadal (Spa), Nikolay Davydenko (Rus), Tommy Robredo (Spa), James Blake (USA)
Tuesday's matches:Roger Federer v Andy RoddickDavid Nalbandian v Ivan LjubicicTuesday's matches:Roger Federer v Andy RoddickDavid Nalbandian v Ivan Ljubicic