Roddick powers back to restore US pride

Andy Roddick kept American interest alive in this year's US Open after coming from two sets to love down to beat David Nalbandian to reach the final.

Juan Carlos Ferrero had earlier stunned the home crowd with a 6-4 6-3 3-6 6-4 victory over top seed Andre Agassi.

But Roddick, seeded four, lit up Flushing Meadows when coming through a three-and-a-half hour tussle with Nalbandian to win 6-7(7-4) 3-6 7-6(9-7) 6-1 6-3 triumph.

Roddick, who had not dropped a set in the tournament going into the match, lost a first-set tie-break after all the games went with serve and then went two down when the Argentine broke in the sixth game.

However, the American hit back in the third though only after surviving a match point in the tie-break. Roddick went on to win 9-7.

He was clearly spurred on by that success and achieved an immediate break in the fourth set before adding another two as Nalbandian's temperament faltered.

The Argentinian regained his composure in the first half of the final set but Roddick always looked to have the edge and secured the all-important breakthrough in game eight.

"I always thought I'd have a bit more left in the tank because he's had a couple of hard games in the last few days,", said Roddick.

"Now I'll just look to get plenty of food inside me, a good night's sleep and give it all I've got in the final against Ferrero, who played great against Agassi."