World number five Andy Roddick said on Saturday that he has got
good preparations heading into the upcoming Davis Cup final against
Russia, playing four matches against the top players at the Masters
Cup in Shanghai.
"There are some positives, not having played one match since the
US Open to get to the semifinals and to get four matches under my
belt before our Davis Cup final was needed," said Roddick, who has
struggled with a heel injury since the disappointing result at
Flushing Meadows.
"I kind of have to try to move on because this isn't the end of
my year. We have a couple matches in 12 days or so. So that's where
my focus goes now."
The 25-year-old American made a flying start at the year-ending
tournament, becoming the first master to enter semifinals after
two-match winning streak, but then lost to Roger Federer in the
last group match before being knocked out by Spaniard David Ferrer
in the semifinals on Saturday.
"I feel confident (about the Davis Cup). It was nice to get a
win over Davydenko, and I've been able to beat Youzhny the last
couple times we've played."
"And we have the best doubles team in the world in our
corner.
"Getting that confidence to translate to the court and getting a
win is a tall task, especially we lost to them last year. But you
know, I like our team."
The American will meet his teammates in Portland next week and
get in five or six days with each other before the tie.
(Xinhua News Agency November 18, 2007)