Sat Sep 27 09:51:18 2008

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Roddick heads to finals in Beijing

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Beijing, China (Sports Network) - Former world No. 1 Andy Roddick gained the final in a three-set victory at the China Open at Beijing Tennis Center on Saturday.

The second-seeded Roddick fended off a challenge from German semifinalist Bjorn Phau, taking a 6-2, 6-7 (4-7), 6-1 decision.

The 26-year-old Roddick, who is now 40-13 for the year, is seeking his third ATP title of 2008.

The other semifinal saw Israeli Dudi Sela breeze by seventh-seeded German Rainer Schuettler. The 22-year-old upstart bested Schuettler 6-3, 6-3 to reach the tournament's final contest.

Sela, who stunned top-seeded world No. 5 Spaniard David Ferrer here on Thursday, is trying to become the first Israeli man to reach a final since Harel Levy turned the trick in 2000.

The 2008 Beijing titlist will earn $85,000.