Roddick ties Federer’s Streak in Eastbourne

Written by: Staff on 23rd June 2012

Roddick ties Federer's Streak in Eastbourne |

Sixth seed Andy Roddick dismissed reigning AEGON International champion Andreas Seppi 6-3, 6-2 in Eastbourne Saturday to match Roger Federer’s streak of winning at least one ATP World Tour title in 12 straight seasons.

“I wanted to keep alive winning one tournament a year for 12 years. I know three or four people have done that,’ Roddick said. “I need to remind myself of those numbers just to [remember] this is a what-did-you-do-last-week-type sport? So looking back on that, maybe I need to look at those a little bit more and realise that I’ve done this for a long time pretty well.”

The American wild card won 55 per cent of his return points to break Seppi five times. Roddick clinched the trophy on his first championship point to claim victory in 72 minutes. He improved to 2-0 against the third-seeded Seppi.

“I don’t remember the last time I got broken twice and won 3 and 2. I felt real good,” said Roddick. “My returns this week were close to as well as I have. I was able to close well. I started off not serving great and then made an adjustment. I think I served 90 per cent in the second set, which is a pretty strong number, especially given the conditions.”

The triumph marks Roddick’s 31st career title, with five of them coming on grass. He is the first American to finish in the winners’ circle this season.

Entering Eastbourne, Roddick has lost a career high six consecutive matches. With his win in the semi-finals, Roddick became the 19th player to reach 600 career wins, joining Federer as the only active players to achieve the feat.

“The thing that makes sports great is there is no script,” Roddick said. “You can draw it up, and it rarely works out the way this week has. I think, as I’ve gotten older, I guess I’ve learned to appreciate this a little bit more… I went from a six-match losing streak to all of a sudden winning a tournament. It is a 180-degree turnaround.”

Seppi was aiming to successfully defend a crown for the first time. The Italian dropped to a 23-17 season record, highlighted by his title victory in Belgrade (d. Paire) and fourth-round showing at Roland Garros (l. to Djokovic).