MIAMI, April 5- Sixth-seeded American Andy Roddick ended the giant-killing run of Czech Tomas Berdych to secure the Miami ATP Masters 1000 title Sunday.
One break of serve in each set was enough for Roddick, who didn’t face a break point in the entire match which he won 7-5, 6-4.
"It’s a surprising stat, especially on one side," Roddick said. "It was real rough with the sun on first serves you’re having to adjust your toss and seeing spots on the first ball.
"I think that’s what helped me break in the first set, you know, but I think it was maybe a little bit of an advantage that I played out there in that time slot a couple times."
His victory brought an end to the impressive run of the 16th-seeded Berdych, who had survived a match point to shock world number one Roger Federer in the fourth round.
"He was really good today," Berdych said. "He was really strong, serving well. I was really looking for maybe to get one chance – maybe one is enough.
"But he held pretty well. I didn’t get any chance in the whole match during both sets, so that’s well-played for him."
Roddick, who beat world number four Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals, added a second Miami title to the one he captured in 2004.
In addition to a superb serving performance that included 13 aces, Roddick used a canny baseline game – varying the pace of his groundstrokes to keep Berdych on the hop.
Roddick, who dropped only two service games in the tournament, surrendered just seven points on his serve in the second set.
He gave himself his third match point when he ended an exchange at the net with an overhead, and Berdych hit a backhand into the net to finish it off.
The Czech had saved two match points in the previous game.
Roddick improved to 26-4 in 2010, the best match record on the men’s tour.
The American claimed his first ATP 1000 title since Cincinnati in 2006, and it came two weeks after his runner-up finish in the first of the prestigious events in 2010 – at Indian Wells in California.
"Obviously it’s a big title for me," Roddick said. "I felt a little bit of pressure to win this one, because I had a pretty good opportunity in Indian Wells and didn’t come through there.
"I think just the last month has been real good for me," he added. "I’ve played well on the big moments. Haven’t had an off day mentally. I’ve been able to execute. I’ve been able to have a game plan and execute it regardless of what kind of shots it takes.
Roddick was pleased that he was able during the week to find different ways to win. His methodical approach against Berdych was far from his risky, aggressive strategy against Nadal.
"Against Rafa, when you get two feet under you and you’re not being bullied from the baseline, it’s time to take some cuts," Roddick said.
"With Tomas I can get away with my slice a little bit more. I can get away with changing paces a little bit more without the angles of the court being utilized as much.
"He hits the ball straight through a little bit more, so I can kind of rely on legs a little bit more without the court growing this way and becoming tougher."
Overall, Berdych said, he was satisfied with his tournament.
"Well, not as satisfied as I would be if I were sitting here as a winner," he admitted. "But I’m happy for this two weeks, 10 days, that I played a couple of really good matches."
