Tommy Haas of Germany beat Andy Roddick of the United States 6-3, 6-4 at the United States Clay Court Championship on Sunday for his first title in about two-and-a-half years.
Haas was once ranked as high as number two, but he missed all of last season while recovering from shoulder surgery. The German hadn’t been in a final since 2002 and last won a tournament at Stuttgart in October 2001.
He was the steadier player from the start, ending the reigning US Open champion’s 12-match winning streak.
Roddick dropped to 18-2 at Westside Tennis Club — he was the runner-up to Andre Agassi in this tournament last year — and 32-6 overall this season. He was trying for his third title of 2004.
Haas, who started his comeback from rotator cuff surgery in February, extended his career record to 4-0 against Roddick and took a big step toward regaining his status among elite tennis players.
”Personally, I wish he’d go away, because I don’t have a very good record against him,” Roddick said. ”But the people seem to love you, so welcome back.”
Haas broke Roddick in the fourth game of the match and rode that to a first-set victory when Roddick’s forehand sailed wide.
Roddick was upset by a line call in the fourth game of the second set when Haas held. He was still complaining after the next game, when Haas broke his serve.
”I saw the mark, but that’s not what the match was about,” Roddick said. ”He just played better than I did.” — Sapa-AP