Roddick makes it to first final of season

Former world number one Andy Roddick reached his first final in 2006 with a 7-5 6-3 win over fellow American Robby Ginepri at the RCA Championships last night.

Roddick, now ranked 11th, will be hoping to win his first trophy since Lyon last October when he faces either top-seeded compatriot James Blake or Belgian Xavier Malisse today.

Roddick needed just 66 minutes to claim his sixth win in seven ATP meetings against Ginepri, whom he first played at age 12 in the juniors.

Twice former champion Roddick dominated on serve, with Ginepri praising the effort as the best he's ever faced from his friend.

Roddick never faced a break point, fired eight aces and notched 21 winners against defending champion Ginepri.

"I played tight tennis with not a lot of sloppy errors," Roddick told reporters.

"I tried to mix up my serve and give him things he wasn't expecting.

"This was the best tennis I've played all year. I played this match on my terms, I'm happy with the way things are going."

Roddick is aiming to become the first three-time Indianapolis champion since Pete Sampras.

On Friday, top seed Blake had completed a sweep of three Americans into the semi-finals with a 7-6 7-win over Nicolas Mahut.

Blake joined compatriots Roddick and Ginepri in the last four, providing a boost for US tennis after a disappointing Wimbledon in which no American players survived the first week of the singles.