Tennis: Dudi Sela loses China Open bid
Israeli tennis player unable to trump world's top 10 man Andy Roddick, loses to American after three sets. Sela thanks supporters, says hopes to play finals again
Close, but no cigar: Israeli tennis player Dudi Sela lost the 2008 China Open Sunday, to American player Andy Roddick.
Sela, who is ranked 92nd in the world and Roddick, who ranks eighth, battled it out over 12 matches, including a suspenseful tiebreaker. Their three sets ended with scores of 6:4, 6:7 (6:8), 6:3.
Sela was the first Israeli tennis player to make it to the China Open finals – one of the world's Association of Tennis Professionals' most important tournaments – since Harel Levy's bid back in 2001.
Gave it his all. Sela (Photo: AP)
He ended his bid with a boost of 120 points to his name, which places him as 65th in the world, and cash prized to the amount of $46,400.
"This is a very special feeling," he told reporters after the game. "I know all of Israel was watching. I hope this wasn’t my last final. I thank everyone who came to see me this week."
Andy Roddick was crowned winner of the China Open – his third ATP title of the year.
AFP contributed to this report
