 Roddick was never in trouble against his Russian opponent |
Andy Roddick eased into the final of the Artois Championships at Queen's Club after a straight sets win over Russian Dmitry Tursunov. The American second seed put in a strong display to get the better of Tursunov with a 6-4 7-5 victory.
The Russian, seeded seven, lost his concentration at key moments to allow Roddick break once in each set.
Roddick will face Nicolas Mahut in Sunday's final after he defeated fellow Frenchman Arnaud Clement 6-3 7-6.
It is a first ATP Tour final appearance for Mahut, ranked 106 in the world, and he becomes only the second Frenchman to reach the decider at Queen's after Sebastien Grosjean, who lost to Roddick in 2003 and 2004.
Roddick, who also triumphed in 2005, is now in with a chance of winning his fourth title at the venue and was happier with his performance than in his last two matches against Alex Bogdanovic and Mario Cilic
"I was pretty consistent today, and I played a lot better. I was making returns, and I wasn't making many sloppy errors, so I was pleased," he said.
 | People just remember the winner, not the runner-up, so I really want to win |
"This is where I've been lucky enough to salvage my season a couple of times after some dodgy claycourt play. It's nice to be here and I'd love to win a fourth one."
But he knows that Mahut will come at him with all guns blazing in the final.
"From what I have seen he has been going for broke on first and second serve, and playing a little bit kamikaze.
"He has been coming in, taking a swing and charging at any ball he gets. He is playing a little bit without a conscience right now.
"If you (the press) want to mention to him that he should think a little bit in the final, then that would be nice of you."
Mahut has beaten Jonas Bjorkman, Ivan Ljubicic, Nadal and Clement to reach the final, but will still have to go through qualifying to earn a place in the main draw for Wimbledon, where he won as a junior seven years ago.
He said: "Before this tournament I was meant to play in the qualifiers, and six days later I am playing in the final against Andy.
"Andy is maybe the best grass-court player on tour after Federer, but I beat Nadal on Friday, so I think I have a chance on Sunday.
"It is really good for my confidence. But people just remember the winner, not the runner-up, so I really want to win."
Tim Henman and Lleyton Hewitt were beaten in the quarter-finals of the doubles by Mark Knowles and Daniel Nestor. The British No 2, who lost in the singles to Marin Cilic was never in the game as he and his Australian partner were beaten 6-1 6-4 by the fourth seeds.
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Queen's highlights: Roddick books place in final