• Sony Ericsson Open

Roddick produces tactical masterclass to win in Miami

Andy Roddick produced a shrewd performance against Tomas Berdych © Getty Images

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Men's final gallery

Andy Roddick produced a tactical masterclass to defeat Tomas Berdych and claim the Sony Ericsson Open title in Miami.

Roddick played a patient game throughout his 7-5 6-4 win, keeping the ball alive in rallies with a range of defensive strokes as he waited for Berdych to make an error.

Berdych was unable to avoid aberrations as Roddick probed away with frequent chips and slices from the baseline, taking pace off the ball in order to put into practice a pre-match strategy intended to stifle his opponent's power.

Roddick would claim two breaks in all, both secured at crucial junctures of the contest. The first came in the penultimate game of the opening set, with the American taking advantage of only the second break point he had been offered.

In the following game, Roddick went on to successfully serve for the set - his service game was immaculate throughout the contest - before again breaking the Berdych serve in the opening game of the second set.

After losing in the final at Indian Wells in March, a determined Roddick was not prepared to let the advantage slip. As Berdych floundered in the Miami heat, Roddick moved relentlessly toward his 29th career title.

World No. 8 Roddick, winner of more games on the ATP Tour this year than any other player, has now emerged victorious against Berdych on each of the three occasions they have met in 2010.

After the contest, Roddick paid tribute to his opponent. "There wasn't much difference [between us], Tomas had a great tournament - he's always a guy you don't want to see in your half of the draw, he's a complete player, and I was really happy to see him play well this week," he said.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.