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THE TR NEWSLETTER: SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 24, NO. 261

Roddick wins San Jose, eyes Top 5 again

Andy: 'You have opportunity to go on a hot streak and I think I got my foot in the door'

By Matthew Cronin, TennisReporters.net

FROM THE SAP OPEN in SAN JOSE – Andy Roddick won his first title in six months by pummeling Radek Stepanek 6-4, 7-5 in the final of the SAP Open on Sunday, but the question on most insiders' minds was how much the title run mattered, given that he didn't have to face a Top-30 player en route to his 24th career crown.

"If I'm doing the right things, I'll beat the most of players out here, but to get to that point is easier said than done," Roddick said. "I ended the week playing good tennis and all you can do is beat who is across the net."

Too true and, at least in Stepanek, he beat a former Top-10 player who certainly should re-enter the Top 20 at least by year's end. As he almost always does when he wins titles, Roddick served huge, was quite consistent from the back court and – surprise, surprise – returned proficiently.