EASTBOURNE, United Kingdom – Former world number one Andy Roddick racked up his 600th career victory on Friday, a timely tonic ahead of Wimbledon where he has been runner-up three times.
The American did it the hard way, however, having to play twice in one day at the windswept southern English coastal venue of Eastbourne.
First he beat Italy's Fabio Fognini 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 before making Saturday's final when Belgian opponent Steve Darcis retired 6-3, 3-1 down in their semi-final as Roddick reached his landmark moment.
“There's a lot of times when you make plans where you draw the perfect scenario and you draw up a script and it doesn't work out,” said the American, who will be seeded 30 at Wimbledon which starts on Monday.
“That's probably 90 per cent of the time in sports. This week has worked out. Regardless of what happens, I'll go into Wimbledon with some wins behind me and some confidence on a surface I'm very comfortable on, so I feel like I got my game back a little bit this week,” he told www.atptour.com
Prior to Eastbourne, Roddick had been sidelined from March to May with a hamstring injury.
He returned in time for the European claycourt season where he lost all three of his round-robin matches in Dusseldorf as well as making a first round exit at the French Open.
He also slumped to a first round loss on grass at Queen's to Nicolas Mahut.
As a wildcard in Eastbourne, he has made Saturday's final, where he will face defending champion Andreas Seppi. – Sapa-AFP