Haas defends title with 6-3, 6-2 victory over Roddick
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) – Tommy Haas successfully defended his title in the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships, beating Andy Roddick 6-3, 6-2 on Sunday. The 28-year-old German won his sixth straight final and 11th title overall, becoming only the second three-time winner here. Combined with his 1999 title, he joins Jimmy Connors, currently Roddick’s coach, who won consecutive titles in 1978-1979 and 1983-1984.
Haas never faced a break point in 47 games in this tournament, and Roddick, trying to win his second title here and 22nd overall, didn’t come close to breaking him. Haas gave up only seven points off his serve in the final, and two of those were his own double-faults.
Haas won the match in 61 minutes.
Ranked ninth in the world coming in, Haas has not lost in a final since Andre Agassi beat him in Rome in May 2002.
This was the first time the top two seeds had played each other here since 1987, and the second-seeded Haas won just like Stefan Edberg beat top-seeded Connors then.
Roddick, who will be ranked No. 3 in the world after this week, had won three of the last four matches with Haas coming in – all on hard courts. The American hadn’t played in a final since losing the U.S. Open last September to Roger Federer or won a title since Cincinnati last August.