Sunday, August 04, 2002
Roddick, Canas gain final
Kournikova's run ended by Dokic
The Associated Press
TORONTO — Andy Roddick of the United States defeated Jiri Novak of the Czech Republic 6-4, 6-3 Saturday night to advance to the final of the $2.95 million Tennis Masters Canada.
The 19-year-old Roddick will try to become the youngest player to win the tournament since fellow American Michael Chang won in 1990 when he plays unseeded Guillermo Canas of Argentina today. Canas knocked off third-seeded Tommy Haas 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (5) earlier Saturday to complete his run of upsets to the final.
Canas already had eliminated No. 2 Marat Safin, No. 5 Yevgeny Kafelnikov and No. 10 Roger Federer.
Canas served 11 aces to eight for Haas in the match.
No. 12 Roddick improved to 44-13 in matches this year, and will increase his 2002 earnings to more than $600,000 this weekend.
ACURA CLASSIC: Anna Kournikova's improbable run ended in the semifinals Saturday with a 6-7 (6), 7-6 (2), 6-0 loss to sixth-seeded Jelena Dokic at Carlsbad, Calif..
Dokic will play the winner of a late semifinal match between top-seeded Venus Williams and No. 3 Lindsay Davenport. Dokic needed two hours to eliminate Kournikova at La Costa Resort and Spa.
“I think mentally I am a very strong person,” Dokic said. “I usually play tiebreakers and third games very well. I usually play the key points well.”
Kournikova, who played with her left thigh wrapped, used the momentum from her first-set victory and the support of the crowd to lead 5-4 in the middle set.
She had two match points on Dokic's serve, but Dokic held on and forced another tiebreaker.
“I had those two chances and Dokic served really, really well,” Kournikova said. “There wasn't much that I could do with them (the two serves).”
With Kournikova's fatigue setting in due to five matches in five days, Dokic took advantage and won the decisive third in just 21 minutes.
Dokic is attempting to win her sixth WTA tournament.
Sports Stories
Reds 4, Padres 3
Reds box, runs
Reds Q&A
Staff ace, Dessens, could be destined for DL
Braves 6, Cardinals 1
Five Questions with Bill Aker
Louisville 8, Charlotte 7
Kickers uptight facing uprights
Bengals notebook
Bengals Q&A
Kitna impresses in competition with Frerotte
Heisman Trophy winner learning new position in NFL
Redskins 38, 49ers 7
Preps Insider
Roddick, Canas gain final
