Roddick captures Key Biscayne title

Associated Press

KEY BISCAYNE, FLA.

Andy Roddick’s softest shots made the biggest impact Sunday. He kept Tomas Berdych out of rhythm by hitting delicate backhands, loopy forehands and changeup first serves.

By the ninth game, Berdych was so flummoxed he lost track of the score.

There was no confusion about the final result: Roddick beat Berdych 7-5, 6-4 to win the Sony Ericsson Open.

It was Roddick’s fifth title in a Masters 1000 tournament — one level below the Grand Slams — and his first since 2006. The runner-up two weeks ago at Indian Wells, another Masters 1000 event, Roddick has a record of 26-4 this year, best on the men’s tour.

“The last month has been real good for me,” said Roddick, who was seeded sixth. “I’ve played well on the big moments. I’ve been able to have a game plan and execute it, regardless of what kind of shots it takes. So it’s all good. It’s all encouraging.”

At 27, he’s showing he can win with more than just a big serve. He surprised Rafael Nadal in the semifinals by frequently charging to the net.

“A lot of people say the serve is fine and the rest of it’s pretty average,” Roddick said. “That’s all right. But there are a lot of guys with big serves who are pretty average, so there’s got to be some difference.”

Roddick’s slice backhand repeatedly forced the 6-foot-5 Berdych to hit the ball at ankle level, robbing his forehand of power.