Finally, Roddick ends losing streak to Federer

After 11 consecutive losses to world No. 1, A-Rod prevails in three sets

Al Bello / Getty Images

Andy Roddick celebrates after beating Roger Federer 7-6 (4), 4-6, 6-3 in the quarterfinals of he Sony Ericsson Open on Thursday.

updated 11:46 p.m. ET April 3, 2008

KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. - Andy Roddick whacked one last thunderous serve to finally beat Roger Federer, then slowly walked to the net with his head down, as if unsure how to celebrate such a rare achievement.

With an almost flawless performance, Roddick ended a streak of 11 consecutive losses against his nemesis Thursday at the Sony Ericsson Open. Roddick dominated with his serve and took advantage of Federer’s suddenly shaky play down the stretch to win 7-6 (4), 4-6, 6-3 in the quarterfinals.

“I came in knowing that nobody has beaten me 12 times in a row,” Roddick told the delighted capacity crowd afterward. “So I had that on my side.”

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In the women’s semifinals, Serena Williams overcame a slow start to outlast Svetlana Kuznetsova 3-6, 7-5, 6-3. Williams needs one more win for her fifth Key Biscayne title and second in a row.

“I haven’t won anything five times, except I win all the time in Uno,” Williams said. “I don’t think that counts.”

Her opponent Saturday will be No. 4-seeded Jelena Jankovic, who beat No. 19 Vera Zvonareva 6-1, 6-4.

Roddick improved to 2-15 against Federer, who came into the tournament hoping to quell talk that his game is in decline. Slowed by mononucleosis early in the year, the top-ranked Federer has yet to reach a final in 2008, making this his worst start since 2000.

“I am just sort of disappointed not to see my name playing in the finals,” Federer said. “I think I have the game to obviously be there.”

Roddick’s opponent in the semifinals Friday night will be No. 4 Nikolay Davydenko, who beat unseeded Janko Tipsarevic 6-2, 6-1.

To beat Federer for the first time since 2003, Roddick had to be at his best, especially down the stretch. He fell behind love-30 serving at 3-3 in the final set, then won the next 11 points, five of them thanks to unforced errors by Federer.

Twice during the stretch Federer shanked shots.

“I figure I was due,” Roddick said. “He hadn’t missed a ball in a crucial moment for about six years against me. I figured the law of statistics had to come my way eventually.”

Federer lost serve at love to fall behind 5-3, losing the only break point he faced in the match. Roddick closed out the victory with a 140-mph service winner, and he served well throughout, hitting 18 aces — including two in the tiebreaker.

That helped him end a streak of 10 consecutive sets lost against Federer.

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“I always said it’s tough to play against Andy — you know, that serve,” Federer said. “He’s always going to have a chance. That’s why I’m quite amazed about my record against him.”

CONTINUED : “Serena was a bit fresher"

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