Tennis: Roddick overpowers Ferrero to take title

CINCINNATI - American Andy Roddick overpowered Spaniard Juan Carlos Ferrero 6-3 6-4 on Sunday to win his first tennis title of the year at the Cincinnati Masters.

In a battle of two former world number ones, the ninth seed hammered down 17 aces and dictated play from the start, clinching his 21st career title in just 70 minutes.

Roddick was broken when serving for the match at 5-2 but made no mistake second time round, hitting three aces in succession to clinch a victory which will lift him back into the top 10 of the world rankings.

Despite the defeat, Ferrero, who has not won a title since 2003, will move back inside the world's top 20.

- REUTERS