HOUSTON, United States (AFP) - Second-ranked American Andy Roddick switched tactics to defeat British nemesis Tim Henman here at the ATP Masters Cup while Lleyton Hewitt and Marat Safin beat foes returning from long layoffs.
Roddick, who lost three of four prior matches to Henman, used volleys and backhands rather than his usual power serves to beat the Briton 7-5, 7-6 (8/6) in a round-robin match at the 3.7 million-dollar season-ending showdown.
"I can`t remember volleying as well," Roddick said. "I was (going to the net) pretty well and it was effective. I felt like I moved great and volleyed great. That`s probably an atypical match for me."
Henman, the oldest man here at 30, took solace in a strong effort and a format that still gives him a chance to win his first title of a year that saw him make impressive US and French Open semi-final runs.
"It`s certainly the best I`ve played since probably New York," Henman said. "I`ve won some quality matches from Andy. Tonight was his turn. Losing is never fun but when you compete the way I did you can`t second guess yourself.
"I`ve got to look at the positives. I know I`m hitting the ball well. You move on from that."
Australia`s third-ranked Hewitt fired 15 aces and never allowed Carlos Moya a break point in defeating the Spaniard 6-7 (5/7), 6-2, 6-4. Moya had not played since a Davis Cup match on September 24 due to a right shoulder injury.
Hewitt matched Swiss world number one Roger Federer atop the Red Group. Federer and Hewitt meet Wednesday with the winner clinching a semi-final spot.
"A lot of this year he has been able to get out of the blocks extremely well against everybody and play some of his best tennis straight up when he gets out there," Hewitt said of Federer. "That`s what you have got to be very wary of."
Russia`s fourth-rated Safin dominated Guillermo Coria 6-1, 6-4 in the Argentine`s first match since July 27 following right shoulder surgery.
"He couldn`t really serve hard. He wasn`t at his best," Safin said. "This kind of serve, it`s difficult to achieve anything here."
Australian Open runner-up Safin, the ATP`s hottest player, fired seven aces to dispatch Coria in an hour. Safin is on a 23-3 run since a first-round US Open exit, taking titles at Beijing, Madrid and Paris.
Rain delayed Henman and Roddick`s start by one hour and 50 minutes but the impressive display was worth the wait.
Roddick denied Henman`s only two break points of the match in the 11th game of the first set with a backhand winner and service winner to grab a 6-5 lead.
"He came up with a big shot under pressure," Henman said.
Roddick then took advantage of his only break point to claim the set with a backhand service return winner.
"I had an inclination of where the serve was going to go. I thought I hit it well," Roddick said. "I couldn`t ask for more. I pulled something out of a hat there."
Henman seized a 5-2 edge in the tie-breaker but Roddick ralled for a 6-5 lead. Henman saved a match point with a backhand winner but Roddick`s forehand ended matters after one hour and 41 minutes.
Hewitt, the 2001 and 2002 Masters Cup winner, took confidence from his fourth win in a row over Moya.
"I`m playing well," Hewitt said. "There are a lot of positives I can take away from that match and not only build on for this week but for the Australian summer," Hewitt said.
"I can definitely be more aggressive out there and take charge of the court a little bit better. It`s definitely a part of my game that I feel like I can try and improve on to take my game to the next level."
India`s Mashesh Bhupathi and Max Mirnyi of Belarus had their match against American brothers Mike and Bob Bryan to decide a semi-final spot halted by rain.
The Bryans, who have lost all three prior matches against Bhupathi and Mirnyi, led 5-4 in the first set when rain suspended the match until Wednesday afternoon.
The winner will join unbeaten Jonas Bjorkman of Sweden and Todd Woodbridge of Australia in advancing from round-robin play in the Blue Group.
Woodbridge and Bjorkman rallied to beat Argentina`s winless Gaston Etlis and Martin Rodriguez 2-6, 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/3).
World doubles number ones Daniel Nestor of Canada and Mark Knowles of Bahamas also advanced to the semi-finals by rallying to beat Zimbabweans Wayne Black and Kevin Ullyett 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (9/7).
Knowles and Nestor saved four match points in the tie-breaker, winning six of the final seven points overall to stand unbeaten in the Red Group.
The African duo will play for the remaining semi-final berth Wednesday against Belgians Xavier Malisse and Olivier Rochus, who eliminated Czechs Martin Damm and Cyril Suk 2-6, 6-1, 6-4.

11/17/2004 - 07:41 GMT - AFP