Finally, Roddick ends losing streak to Federer

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Roddick improved to 1-0 against Federer since his recent engagement to swimsuit model Brooklyn Decker, who watched from the stands.

“Being happy and content off the court is only going to help in my mind,” Roddick said. Seeded sixth, he’s two rounds from his second Key Biscayne title.

Williams toiled for nearly three hours to reach match point against Kuznetsova, then hit two more shots and raised a fist, tired but triumphant. On a muggy, 85-degree afternoon, Williams’ newfound fitness may have made the difference.

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She arrived for this year’s tournament a slimmer Williams, joking after one win that this is the best she has looked since 1982. She was then an infant.

Her recent rigorous training regimen paid off in a semifinal that became a test of stamina.

“I don’t feel tired or sore or anything,” Williams said 90 minutes after the match. “I feel like I’m really fit. I’ve been working really hard.”

In the final set, Williams broke for a 5-3 lead when she skipped a shot off the net cord, leaving Kuznetsova with an awkward backhand she dumped into the net.

Williams slammed her 12th ace to reach match point, and Kuznetsova then sailed a lob long.

“Serena was a bit fresher,” Kuznetsova said. “In the end she was moving well and serving incredibly hard.”

Williams’ home-court advantage may have been a factor, too. She grew up in nearby Palm Beach Gardens.

“Serena, this is your house,” one fan yelled.

Her 46-5 record at Key Biscayne suggests he’s right.

“I love playing here,” Williams said. “All my friends come out. I promised tickets for Saturday, so I was like, ‘I can’t lose. I’ve got to stay in there a little bit longer.’ It was mainly my motivation.”

Jankovic barely survived her opening match. In the third set against Sofia Arvidsson, she overcame a 5-1 deficit, then saved five match points in a tiebreaker.

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“It was a good thing for my confidence to get through the match in that way,” Jankovic said. “Playing the way I’m playing now, it’s really amazing, so I just hope to continue like this.”

She has won every set in her past four matches to reach the final for the first time. Jankovic is 3-2 against Williams, including a victory in their most recent meeting at this year’s Australian Open.

“I know how to play against her and know what to expect from her,” Jankovic said. “But I also know that I really have to play good tennis in order to win, because she’s a great champion and a tough opponent to beat.”

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