INDIANAPOLIS (AP) -- Top-seeded James Blake won a tiebreaker in the third set to beat second-seeded Andy Roddick 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (5) and win the RCA Championships on Sunday afternoon.
It was Blake's second career win over Roddick in eight tries. Roddick still hasn't won a tournament this year.
Roddick finished with 17 aces, but was consistently frustrated by Blake's foot speed. In the tiebreaker, Blake chased down one of many balls that appeared unreachable to go up 6-4. Roddick served an ace to make it 6-5, but Blake closed it out on the next point.
The start of the final was delayed 20 minutes because of a medical emergency in the stands.
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| James Blake shakes Andy Roddick's hand after his victory at the 2006 RCA Championships.© Matthew Stockman/Getty Images |
Roddick came into the match having won 40 consecutive service games. That increased to 45 before Blake broke him on a backhand serve to take a 2-0 lead in the second set. It was the first time in the tournament, singles or doubles, that Roddick's serve had been broken.
Blake nearly broke Roddick's serve again for a 4-0 lead, but Roddick won the game.
Roddick eventually rallied to tie the set at 4, but Blake broke Roddick's serve for a second time, a love game that clinched the set. Roddick showed his frustration during the decisive game, throwing his racket up in the air after Blake went up 40-love.
It was the first time the two had met in an ATP final since Roddick defeated Blake in 2002 in Memphis.
Roddick also was to compete in the doubles championship match later Sunday. He will become the fourth player this year to compete in the singles and doubles finals at the same event.