Andy Roddick Leaves Everything on Court, Wins Nail-Biter over Raonic

Top seed and No. 8 ranked ATP World Tour player, Andy Roddick won his 30th title today, at the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships, in Memphis. He defeated Milos Raonic, 7-6 (7), 6-7 (11), 7-5.

It was a tournament full of milestones for Roddick. It was his 50th career singles final, and he became only the third active ATP World Tour player to win 30 or more titles, behind Roger Federer (67) and Rafael Nadal (43).

Roddick has also won at least one singles title for the past 11 seasons. The only other active player to accomplish that feat is Roger Federer.

The match was close from the beginning, with newcomer Raonic showing no fear of Roddick. Raonic even out-served Roddick, with 32 aces in the final alone. He set a tournament record of 129 aces for the entire week.

It was clear Raonic built on his confidence from his first ATP World Tour title win over Fernando Verdasco, at the SAP Open in San Jose. He held two set points in the first-set tiebreak before Roddick hit his eighth ace of the match to clinch it. Raonic redeemed himself by saving three match points at 6-5, 8-7 and 10-9 and converting on his own fourth set point, in the second-set tiebreak.

The third set also came down to the wire, with both players fighting to hold serve the entire time. Raonic finally succumbed after Roddick hit a diving, forehand passing shot, on his fifth match point.

“That’s the best shot I’ve ever hit in my life, considering the circumstance,” said Roddick.

"I don’t really remember much else besides the fact that I went for the ball, I hit it, I didn’t really think much of it. Then I heard people cheering. I was like, ‘No, there’s no way that went in.’ I guess it did.”