Haas: "Every match is tough."
Haas Bounces Czech; Roddick on Fire
MEMPHIS (February 20) - Top seed Tommy Haas was made to work hard before moving through to the second round of the Kroger St. Jude in Memphis. The German, seeking his second title at The Racquet Club after winning here in 1999, came through 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 against Jan Vacek of the Czech Republic.
"The first match is always the toughest one," said Haas. "So long as you come through it, you've always got a chance after that."
Haas, who won four titles in 2001 and reached the semifinals of the Australian Open in January, looked to be in full control of the match after taking the first set. But despite saving two set points on his own serve at 5-6 in the second, a forehand error from the German gifted Vacek the set.
In the decider, a controversial line call against Haas seemed to spur the German on, as he won nine of the next 10 points and led 2-1 with a break of serve. But although Vacek immediately got back on level terms, Haas' aggressive tactics paid off as he broke serve again for a 3-2 lead and held on for victory.
"He's a good player," said Haas of his opponent. "He's very tall [6'6"], has a great reach and it was a tight match. He had nothing to lose."
Power Game
Second seed Andy Roddick had no trouble disposing of recent Copenhagen Open champion Lars Bursgmuller 6-2, 6-3 in 57 minutes. The 19-year-old American, who lost against Haas in the second round 12 months ago, dominated the match from the start with his huge serve and powerful baseline game. After hitting his fastest-ever serve at 142 mph followed by another at 140 mph, Roddick never looked in danger.
"I knew I had to come out ready and firing tonight," said Roddick. "It's usally my control I have to concentrate on, but my power game was finding the inside of the lines tonight."
Also through to the second round was last year's finalist Davide Sanguinetti, the Italian who defeated Ramon Delgado of Paraguay 6-2, 6-2, while No. 5 seed Rainer Schuettler came through 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(4) against Michael Llodra. Armenia's Sargis Sargsian had no such trouble against Belgium's Christophe Rochus, winning 6-2, 6-3 to earn a second round clash with Sweden's Jonas Bjorkman.
"The first match is always the toughest one," said Haas. "So long as you come through it, you've always got a chance after that."
Haas, who won four titles in 2001 and reached the semifinals of the Australian Open in January, looked to be in full control of the match after taking the first set. But despite saving two set points on his own serve at 5-6 in the second, a forehand error from the German gifted Vacek the set.
In the decider, a controversial line call against Haas seemed to spur the German on, as he won nine of the next 10 points and led 2-1 with a break of serve. But although Vacek immediately got back on level terms, Haas' aggressive tactics paid off as he broke serve again for a 3-2 lead and held on for victory.
"He's a good player," said Haas of his opponent. "He's very tall [6'6"], has a great reach and it was a tight match. He had nothing to lose."
Power Game
Second seed Andy Roddick had no trouble disposing of recent Copenhagen Open champion Lars Bursgmuller 6-2, 6-3 in 57 minutes. The 19-year-old American, who lost against Haas in the second round 12 months ago, dominated the match from the start with his huge serve and powerful baseline game. After hitting his fastest-ever serve at 142 mph followed by another at 140 mph, Roddick never looked in danger.
"I knew I had to come out ready and firing tonight," said Roddick. "It's usally my control I have to concentrate on, but my power game was finding the inside of the lines tonight."
Also through to the second round was last year's finalist Davide Sanguinetti, the Italian who defeated Ramon Delgado of Paraguay 6-2, 6-2, while No. 5 seed Rainer Schuettler came through 6-3, 3-6, 7-6(4) against Michael Llodra. Armenia's Sargis Sargsian had no such trouble against Belgium's Christophe Rochus, winning 6-2, 6-3 to earn a second round clash with Sweden's Jonas Bjorkman.
