Roddick beats Hass to set up final against Saulnier

0 Comments | AFP, February, 2005

SAN JOSE, California, (AFP) — Defending champion Andy Roddick advanced to the final of the San Jose ATP event with a 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 triumph over third seed Tommy Haas of Germany.

The 22-year-old Roddick beat fellow American Mardy Fish in the 2004 final.

Roddick is playing his first tournament since a disappointing four-set loss to Lleyton Hewitt in the Australian Open semi-finals.

In Saturday's first semi-final, unseeded Frenchman Cyril Saulnier continued his strong run with a 6-7 (3/7), 6-3, 6-3 victory over seventh seed Jurgen Melzer of Austria.

The 29-year-old Saulnier, ranked 50th, reached his first ATP Tour final. Last season, he made it to a pair of semi-finals.

"The first set I started off slow," Saulnier said. "I needed to be more...