Berdych stuns Roddick at Japan Open

Oct 4, 2008 - 2:06 PM TOKYO (Ticker) -- Andy Roddick's collapse cost him a shot at back-to-back titles.

Ninth seed Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic rallied for a 6-7 (3-7), 7-5, 7-6 (7-3) victory over the second-seeded American during their semifinal match at the $869,000 Japan Open on Saturday.

Berdych was down 5-3 with the hard-hitting Roddick serving for the match in the final set, but managed to put together a remarkable comeback against the world No. 8.

"I was 5-2 down in the final set but it was only a break and since I broke him twice in the second set I knew I could do it again," said Berdych, who will face No. 5 Juan Martin del Potro in Sunday's championship.

Roddick claimed his 26th career title at the China Open last week and was looking for his first set of consecutive championships since claiming three straight tournament victories at Montreal, Cincinnati and the U.S. Open in 2003.

"It is disappointing and frustrating as I think I had the match in my hands twice and let it slip away from me," said Roddick, who blasted 25 aces.

Berdych has three career titles, winning his last trophy at Halle in 2007.

Del Potro, a 6-3, 4-6, 7-5 semifinal winner over fourth-seeded Richard Gasquet of France, has been on fire of late and is eyeing his fifth championship of the season.

The 12th-ranked Argentine had never won on the ATP Tour before capturing four consecutive tournaments during the summer, and he followed that with an impressive quarterfinal effort at the U.S. Open.

The 20-year-old blasted 14 aces and won four of seven break points, downing Gasquet in just over two hours.

"I am very tired, we played a long match with long points but I am very happy to have beaten such a good player and to be in another final," said del Potro, who has won 29 of 30 matches. "I will have time to rest and recover before the final."

Ranked as high as seventh last year and currently No. 13, Gasquet was impressed with del Potro.

"He is playing right now like a top 5, I put him right after (Rafael) Nadal, (Roger) Federer, (Novak) Djokovic and (Andy) Murray," Gasquet said.

First prize is $135,000.