Houston (USA), Nov 17: Roger Federer beat US Open winner Andy Roddick in the semi-finals but the American won the year-end top ranking. Had Federer not suffered his only career loss to Roddick in an August semi-final at Montreal, he would have taken the top spot.
"Andy deserves his number one. I think he should walk away and feel he is the best," Federer said. "I feel I'm the best this week," Federer said.
The Swiss had lost his first three career matches against Agassi but saved two match points here last Monday to collect a 6-7 (3/7) 6-3 7-6 (9/7) round-robin triumph and dominated the championship match.
"It has been a little surprising actually," Federer said. "In practice I was feeling terrible. I really didn't get the rhythm. Then the matches started and there I am playing better."
Federer won the first set under overcast skies with a few drops falling, then broke and held and went ahead 0-30 when showers stopped play after 38 minutes, midway into would what be a run of seven games in a row for Federer.


Bureau Report