Houston, Nov 13: Rainer Schuettler beats Guillermo Coria and Andy Roddick overcomes Carlos Moya in the Masters Cup.
Roddick underlined his determination to finish the year with the number one world ranking, opening his account with a feisty 6-2 3-6 6-3 win over Moya. Playing his first match since a semi-final loss to Briton Tim Henman last month in Paris, where he took possession of the top ranking, Roddick had looked poised for a routine return to competition but in the end needed a tense one hour and 35 minutes to secure his first Masters win. The victory ends Wimbledon champion Roger Federer's hopes of finishing the season in top spot, the battle for number one now down to a two-way fight between Roddick and French Open champion Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain. Having spent the last week in New York rehearsing to host "Saturday Night Live", Roddick was back on a more familiar stage and showed no signs of rust as he stormed through the first set to the delight of pop star girlfriend Mandy Moore who applauded her approval from the front row.


A disputed line call in the second game of the second set disrupted the American's rhythm, allowing Moya to break serve and go on to take the second set.


Struggling to regain command of his churning emotions and the match, Roddick finally wrestled back control of the contest late in the third set breaking Moya to go up 5-3, then holding serve to clinch the win.


"I don't think you ever want a tough one, you know, maybe it will be good for me in the long run," said Roddick. "I was disappointed to give up an early break in the second (set), but I was somehow able to get through the third set even though I think he had a bunch of chances."


Texas has provided a happy hunting ground for Roddick, who claimed what was then his second career title last year in Houston while advancing to the final of this year's event, making him the fan's favourite at this 3.65 million-USD season finale.


The Blue Group will take centre stage on Wednesday (November 12) as round-robin play continues with Switzerland's Federer taking on Argentine David Nalbandian and American Andre Agassi facing Ferrero in a rematch of their U.S. Open semi-final.


Bureau Report