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Roddick Wins; Haas Defeats Agassi
(AP)
Updated: 2006-03-15 08:45
INDIAN WELLS, Calif. - Andy Roddick took a methodical victory over Fernando
Verdasco, and Tommy Haas defeated Andre Agassi in third-round matches Monday in
the Pacific Life Open.
Haas, who already has won two titles this year, fought back from a 5-4
deficit in the first set to break Agassi's serve in the 10th game on his way to
a 7-5, 6-2 win.
The 35-year-old Agassi, kept on the move by the 27-year-old German's
well-placed groundstrokes, made a staggering 34 unforced errors to 15 by Haas.
"It's frustrating. It's been a long time since I've felt good on the court,"
Agassi said. "It's just getting tiring, that's all."
He said Haas' career may have a big upside.
"I think Tommy has a lot more that he should achieve," Agassi said. "I don't
think he's come close to what his game's capable of. He does a lot of things
well out there.
"If he puts it together at the right time, some pretty special things could
happen for him."
Roddick was solid if not spectacular in his 6-3, 6-4 victory over Verdasco,
with only four aces — and two double-faults — against the left-hander from
Spain. But Roddick made only 17 unforced errors to Verdasco's 29.
When he closed out the match with a service winner, Roddick hopped, pumped
both arms then, grinning broadly, hit the ball high into the upper deck as the
fans applauded.
"He's always tough. We've had some real battles before," Roddick said. "So to
get through comfortably, it's always nice."
Roddick has struggled some this year and is looking for his first title.
"I feel like I've played well two matches in a row here against pretty good
players, and I haven't done that probably since last fall," said Roddick, who
defeated Jose Acasuso in straight sets the previous day.
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