Roddick Hits Back to Claim Fourth Artois Championships Title

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Andy Roddick saved a match point against Frenchman Nicolas Mahut in a dramatic final before going on to claim his fourth Artois Championships title in the past five years.

Roddick’s 4-6, 7-6(7), 7-6(2) victory in 2 hours, 17 minutes means he joins John McEnroe, Boris Becker and Lleyton Hewitt with four titles at The Queen’s Club – one more than his coach Jimmy Connors.

“It's nice winning at tournaments that you really enjoy playing at,” said Roddick. “I think this place is and will continue to have a special place in my heart just because I have so many great memories from here. I love the club. It's not often you get tennis at a tennis club nowadays. All those things just make it special. To have won four is great. I'll have a number of chances to get five.”

It had looked for long periods that the American was going to have wait another year to rank alongside McEnroe and co. After taking the first set with some breathtaking grass court tennis, Mahut had the first title of his career on his racquet as he led 7-6 in the second set tie-break. With Roddick stranded after two edgy volleys, Mahut’s forehand pass fell into the top of the net. Two points later, it was one set all and the match had turned in an instant.

“I'm really disappointed,” said Mahut. “I was one point away to put my name on the trophy. Like I said yesterday, it's one of the greatest tournaments of the tour. You know, I had match point. It's really hard now.”

Mahut, the World No. 106, only made it into the tournament after eight other players ranked above him withdrew. The Frenchman took full advantage, defeating both Ivan Ljubicic and Rafael Nadal on Friday and then friend and countryman Arnaud Clement to reach the first senior final of his career.

Having won the Wimbledon Junior Championships in 2003, Mahut was clearly at home on the grass. It was through a combination of accurate serving, crisp volleys and the occasional chip and charge that the Frenchman stunned the former World No. 1 by taking the first set, breaking Roddick at 5-4 for what proved to be the only time either player dropped serve in the match.

The second set was equally entertaining, with the contrast between baseliner and net rusher reminding us of the classic grass court contests. Roddick’s frustration was beginning to grow as he failed to find a way through Mahut’s impressive dominance at the net.

The set went to a tie-break and still there was nothing between them. Roddick had a set point at 6-5, which Mahut wiped out with his 15th ace, and then the Frenchman came within a point of victory as Roddick’s backhand went wide.

Facing match point, the American found himself staring down the barrel as his two volleys fell shorter and shorter into mid-court, presenting Mahut with the shot that he wanted – a forehand that he would normally make in his sleep. Unfortunately for the Frenchman, he will be seeing the ball hit the top of the net in his nightmares for some time to come.

“It was just an easy passing shot like I hit a thousand passing like that,” said Mahut. “But, you know, it's easier when you practice. When you have to make it to win the tournament, it's another shot.”

There was just one mini-break in the 16 points, which came as Mahut tried to save a second set point, hitting his volley into the net. How quickly fortunes can change.

Roddick, with renewed life and confidence, began to find a way through Mahut at the net, producing a number of backhand winners, but all credit to the Frenchman, who stuck to his task admirably.

However, there were still no breaks and the championship was to be decided by a tie-break – the first in a final at The Queen’s Club since Pete Sampras edged out Tim Henman in 1999.

Roddick raced into a 5-0 lead with some blistering serves and returns and after bringing up a match point of his own with a drop volley, clinched a famous victory with his 24th ace, becoming the first player to win the title after facing championship point in the final.

“I don't know if I was on top up until maybe 3 0 in the breaker,” added Roddick. “I felt like I returned pretty well. That was just a volleying display I felt like he put on there today. I was lucky to get out of there.”

Roddick, who won the title between 2003-05, now has a 23-2 record at The Queen’s Club. It was the first title of the year for the American and the 22nd of his career.