Roddick closer to Federer breakthrough

SHANGHAI—Andy Roddick says he is getting closer to an elusive win over Roger Federer after coming within a point of beating the world number one at the Masters Cup.
The US world number five has not beaten Federer for more than three years but is enjoying a renaissance under new advisor Jimmy Connors.
“If I don’t believe now, then I never will. I put myself in a position to win tonight,” he said after the match late on Tuesday. “Right now with the progress I’ve made over the last four or five months, I feel like I’m only getting better each time I step out there on the court.
“It’s tough right now. But at the same time I remember where I was four or five months ago. It definitely feels like it’s on the upswing. I felt like I was unlucky not to win that one tonight.”
Roddick had his chance in the second-set tie-breaker but made a rare mistake on his hammer serve. “I was real close tonight. I think that makes it a little bit harder, knowing you’re one of your best shots away, one serve away,” he said.
“I’m sure that won’t be the last time I think of it tonight.” Roddick won his first title in a year in August after teaming up with Connors, an eight-time Grand Slam winner, before losing the US Open final to Federer.
The Swiss knocked Roddick off the top ranking early in 2004 and has held him off ever since, winning all but one of their 13 matches. But Roddick said he was now hopeful of breaking a losing streak which stretches back to the 2003 Montreal Masters. “I’m definitely going to take away a little bit more of a sense of belief from today,” he said.
“I’m getting closer as opposed to further away, and so that’s a trend I hope to continue.” However Federer, who again dominated this year with another three Grand Slam titles and only five defeats, said the gap with his rivals was widening.
“I guess we have to say right now I’m kind of going away from everybody,” he said. “I’ve hardly lost any matches in the last two seasons. I don’t know if I can keep it up another season but definitely at the moment I’ve really gained a lot of confidence and I’m feeling physically also better than ever. “So I feel like this is my time at the moment.” Roddick will play his final round-robin match against David Nalbandian on Thursday, while Red Group leader Federer faces Ivan Ljubicic.—Agenciess