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Andy Roddick lost focus and lost to Lletyon Hewitt in Houston.

No one passes as well as Hewitt does on hard courts, so if you are going to charge against him, you have to hit a great approach shot. Just ask Sampras, who Hewitt once buried in US Open final, or Tim Henman, who Hewitt has made look silly at the net time and time again. Hewitt loves a target and Andy gave him a bulls-eye.

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Lleyton Hewitt advances to the TMC Houston finals versus Roger Federer.

The way to take down Hewitt is to make him play over his head, which means pounding his forehand until you get a mid-court ball. That happens quite often, given that the Australian hits with an open stance and doesn't have the upper body strength to plaster then deep. His backhand is completely lethal and, unless he's having a down day, serving and approaching to that side can be death. Roddick would have been much better off playing steady from the baseline until he got a big forehand. Instead, he got mired in the mindset that he needed to charge the net whenever he had a slight opportunity and paid for it.

HEWITT: 20 FOR 20
Hewitt won last 20 points of the match. Let's say that again: In a contest where both men knew the No. 2 ranking could be at stake, Hewitt stepped up in a huge way and Roddick lost 20 straight points. He checked out mentally.

"I just think it's plain and simple; I didn't play well," Roddick said. "He took his chances when he had them. It's pretty self explanatory. I didn't step up. Lleyton makes you play at a certain level to beat him, and I fell far short of that. You have to make things happen against Lleyton to beat him. I'm not going to go out there and just sit back and make more balls than he is and run it down. That's not the way our games match up.

"I have to be aggressive. A lot of times I didn't even set up a point and miss a volley. I think I have to focus on what I can improve on. For the large part of the year, I maybe shied away from that a little bit. That's something that I still need to work on, I still need to commit to. Even though I volleyed like a I was … just thinking a lot of bad words today. Through the first three matches it was about as well as I had done it. So I'm going to try to look at that instead of I'm just going to try to remain in denial about today. I have to focus on what I can improve on. For the large part of the year, I maybe shied away from that."

It's been crystal clear all year long that Roddick had three areas that he needed to improve: his return, his backhand and his volley. He's stepped up in all three of those categories but in the process, he's largely forgotten what got him to No. 1: A take-no-prisoners serve and forehand. Those two departments should always be his base. Everything else is gravy. Sure, he could improve his footwork and decision making, but his tasks would seem a whole lot simpler if he regained confidence in the game that made him a great player. He doesn't appear to be very confident now and for good reason; not only is Federer miles ahead of him, but Hewitt still has his number, too.

"I'd love to make a run at No. 1 again. I'd love to win a Slam," Roddick said. "I'd like to continue to improve some things. I think there is room for improvement. Hopefully I'll be able to accomplish some of those next year."

Roddick is a super-determined person, so there's no doubt that he'll put in the work. But turning him into a serve-and-volleyer is not the answer. Roddick should only be at net during big matches, when his opponents are floating or chipping balls back to keep themselves into points, or when he has a very makeable approach shot. It will likely take him another year to become more comfortable around the cords, but there's no reason to waste 2005 experimenting with his possibilities during key contests. He can do that when he's way ahead in Tier II matches or has no other options left. It's time for Roddick to leave the practice drills on the practice court.

Safin Has Much to be Pleased With
Watching Marat Safin lose a historic 20-18 tiebreaker to Roger Federer on Saturday, one would think that the big Russian is the sport's second best player. And he has been the last two months, but he is still lacking the shots that would have allowed him to overtake the virtually unbeatable Swiss. That's why the TMS Madrid and Paris champ fell 6-3, 7-6 (18) to Federer in one of the most perfectly played matches all year.

Safin failed on six set point chances but many of those were grabbed by Federer with winners. But he also fought off seven match points with terrific blasts before finally losing on the eight one.

"That tiebreaker was very special. I've never played such a tiebreaker in a match, even in a practice. It was really fun, it just went back and forth," said Federer of the tiebreak, which tied record for the longest ever played. "The level of play was very high as well. It wasn't like we were giving each other all those points. We were pushing each other to the limits. The tiebreaker was special, but I thought also the whole match was also a great one."

Safin is one of the few players out there with enough power from all wings to take down Federer, but his forehand isn't quite as good, nor is his movement. Plus, he doesn't quite believe he can beat him, joining the rest of the tour. Hence, his 1-6 record against the Swiss.

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Marat Safin lost a record tiebreak to Federer, 20-18.

"I was disappointed to lose but I was going for too much. I was nervous," said the Russian "But I was probably going for too much because I knew I have Roger Federer on the other side, so I had to do something extra. He played quite good all the set points. I didn't really made any huge mistakes in the tiebreak. I had to wait a little more for a good opportunity. I was rushing too much. But otherwise, I don't regret anything from the tiebreak, even though that I had six set points."

Safin's commitment to excellence has been obvious this fall. The big man is moving as well as he can and for the most part, is dictating like he should. He's cutting loose on his forehand, which he needs to do in order to retake No. 1.

"Throughout the season, I improved a lot," he said. "There are many mistakes with it, but at least I am going for it."

Federer's former coach, Peter Lundgren, obviously has his man Safin going in the right direction. Don't even think that Safin has been a lazy bum his whole life because that's not the case. Take one look at his legendary taskmaster mother/coach, Raisa, and you'll no that he's worked very hard. But Safin has gone through periods when he was doubting whether he should be a pro tennis player at all. However, for almost all of this year – beginning with his extraordinary run to the Aussie Open final – he's been more than committed. That bodes well for him and a sport that needs his entertaining character playing deep into tournaments in 2005.

"Peter does enough things for me to be here. It's already big effort," said Safin, who will end the year ranked No. 4. "I started the year 89. So compared to where I was and where I am right now, it's like it's 85 spots I improve. My main goal to get back to the Top 10. I made even Top 5. I'm not really angry at myself. I don't regret anything, even that I lost in finals of Australian Open. Doesn't really matter. What matters is the end of the season is the result."