Andy Roddick Wins 30th Career Title

Andy Roddick was made to battle hard for his thirtieth career title as he saw off Milos Raonic in the final of the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships in Memphis.

It had been a dream run to the final for Raonic, who promises to be a real force on the ATP tour over the coming years, as he put out Fernando Verdasco in the first round.

And he was more than comfortable going toe to toe with the former world number one as serve dominated play.

Still locked together at 6-6 in the opening set a tie break was needed to separate the pair - Roddick taking it 9-7 to edge ahead.

But Raonic didn't let his head drop as he continued to battle into the second. Another tie break was needed as both players stood firm on serve - and this was one proved to be a classic.

And it was the twenty year old Canadian who held his nerve as he took it 13-11 to level the match at a set a piece.

But Raonic was under immediate pressure at the beginning of the decider as Roddick stepped on the gas - an early break saw him dash to a 4-1 lead.

But Raonic continued to fight and managed to get the set back on serve as he levelled at 5-5. And just as it looked like a third breaker was going to be needed Roddick pulled out a dive forehand down the line to clinch the title.

He may have been left with a grazed right arm but he had sealed a 7-6 (9-7) 6-7 (11-13) 7-5 win and the title.

Speaking to the ATP after the match about his thirtieth title win Roddick said: "Winning tennis tournaments I don’t ever take for granted."

"I’ve won 30 of them now, but I think every one of them is just as exciting. I get just as much joy today as I did my first one."

Roddick now joins Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer as only the third player currently on the tour to notch up thirty tournament wins.

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw