Masters-Cup.com: Roddick First into Semifinals

Andy Roddick became the first player to secure a semifinal berth at Tennis Masters Cup after overpowering Fernando Gonzalez 6-1, 6-4 Wednesday. The result had significant ramifications for the Red Group, specifically for defending champion and three-time Masters Cup winner Roger Federer. The ATP World No. 1 will qualify for the semifinals if he beats Roddick Friday. Federer could even qualify by losing against Roddick if Gonzalez loses to Davydenko, but it could come down to the ratio of sets won and lost.

The one thing that was clear Wednesday night was that Roddick had worked himself into his some of his best form of the season. Roddick dictated play as usual with his serve and forehand, but the continued improvement of his backhand will not have escaped the attention of his rivals. Roddick has been consistently improving his weaker wing under coach Jimmy Connors (who has not made the trip to Shanghai), but against Gonzalez Roddick showed that he could do damage with the backhand even when on the dead run.

Click here to read the full article at masters-cup.com.