17 February 2004	Tuesday	25 Zilhaj 1424

SAN JOSE, Feb 16: Top seed Andy Roddick overcame high school team mate Mardy Fish 7-6 6-4 to win his first San Jose Open title on Sunday. In a spectacular match between two close friends, both players served well and came up with big shots again and again but it was the U.S. Open champion who produced the goods when it mattered most.

Roddick saved four set points in a marathon first set tiebreak when it appeared the pumped-up Fish was about to seize control of the match. The tiebreak was finally won 15-13 by Roddick when he kicked a 119 mph serve into Fish's backhand and followed up with a forehand volley winner.

In the second set, Roddick, 21, needed five break points before producing the first service break of the match at 4-4 and then served out for victory. Roddick delivered 16 aces against 17 by Fish.

The U.S. Open champion will now leapfrog Spaniard Juan Carlos Ferrero into second place in the ATP rankings when they are released on Monday. -Reuters