Murray opens with victory over Roddick
Andy Murray beats Andy Roddick in opening match of Masters Cup
Also In The News
|
Nicolas Anelka bagged a brace to give Chelsea a 2-0 win over Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park. |  |
Monday, 10, Nov 2008 10:29
British number one Andy Murray has won his first-ever Masters Cup match after opening his 2008 title bid by beating American Andy Roddick in three sets.
Murray, ranked fourth in the world and seeded third at the season-ending tournament, looked a class above Roddick for much of the contest as he served well in a 6-4 1-6 6-1 triumph in Shanghai.
Roddick's game was characterised by his typically bullish serving, although through a combination of a slow court and some superb Murray defence the American was restricted to just three aces.
Murray's high work-rate, which only dropped in intensity in a lacklustre second set, saw him heap pressure on his opponent from the start as the Scot grabbed the only break of serve in the opener.
However, Roddick worked his way back into the match as Murray tired, looking out of sorts as he relinquished two early breaks to go 0-5 down.
The final set was a complete reversal of fortunes, though, as the Briton snatched back the initiative with a five-game run of his own to put him in control.
And despite taking it easy in Roddick's final service game the in-form 21-year-old wrapped up the match in style with an easy hold.
The win, coupled with Gilles Simon's surprise victory over top seed Roger Federer earlier, puts Murray in control of his own destiny. Just one more win is likely to put him in the semi-finals of the money-spinning tournament, which could land him prize money of up to $1 million.