MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - Tommy Haas will defend his title at the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships after downing Mardy Fish 6-3, 6-4 Saturday in the semifinals.
The 28-year-old German has yet to face a break point this week and will try to win his third title in Memphis on Sunday against either top-seeded Andy Roddick or 19-year-old Andy Murray. It's the first top-tier ATP event where the top four seeds advanced since the 2006 French Open.
Venus Williams was set to play Shahar Peer of Israel in the Cellular South Cup championship Saturday night. Williams, sidelined since October because of an injured left wrist, is aiming for her 34th career title.
Haas, the No. 2 seed, improved to 12-2 this year and is in position to win his 11th career title.
"It's nice. You know it's a familiar place here for me," said Haas, ranked No. 9. "It's a good feeling to be in the final of another tournament again, and it's been a while. So it's great. I'm really happy with the way I played today against Mardy."
Haas started off strong against the fourth-seeded Fish. He broke the American's serve in his first game and quickly led 3-0 before closing out the set in 31 minutes.
Fish came in enjoying the best start of his career at 12-3. He was trying to reach his first final this year, but he struggled a bit with his serve and tendinitis in his right knee. He had 16 aces but double-faulted twice - including on break point in the first game of the second set.
Fish said he couldn't keep up with Haas, who used shots down the line or crosscourt for winners.
"You're not going to make maybe one or two out of 10, some of the shots I made today," Haas said. "It seemed like they always came at a pretty good time as well."
Haas closed out the match with a 113 mph ace that Fish could only acknowledge by saying, "Yep."
"Usually you don't find too many guys who can serve big and return well. If he's serving well, he can win a lot of matches," Fish said.
The 13th-ranked Murray won three of his four matches against Roddick, including last week in the San Jose semifinals. Roddick, who reached the semifinals in each of his three events this year, is 13-2 and trying to reach his first final here since 2003. |
