Andy Roddick of the United States returns a shot during his match against Ivan Ljubicic of Croatia at the Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai, China Sunday, Nov. 12, 2006. Roddick won 6-4, 6-7, 6-1. (Xinhua Photo)

American Andy Roddick, world No. 5, turned his anger to be his first win in the ATP Masters Cup here on Sunday, crushing Croatian Ivan Ljubicic, world No. 4, 6-4,6-7(9), 6-1 in the Red Group.

"What was the last time when you see me was not angry on the court?" the 24-year-old American said when he was asked why he was upset in Friday's training.

It was the first time for Roddick to play in China. After six games' struggling, Ljubicic's one double faults made Roddick to break Ljubicic's 4th serve game to seize a 6-4 win in the first set.

Nine aces gave the American big boy a reliable weapon to control the game. Two players contributed a perfect second set for the spectators. In the fifth game, Ljubicic did not win his serve after five deuces.

Roddick failed to end the game earlier in the tie-break. He lost it 9-11.

But the final set was not a tough game for Roddick. The 6-1 win in the third set showed he was back in his form.

After winning the match, he was sharing the top position with Roger Federer, Switzerland, in the Red Group. Federer beat David Nalbandian, world No. 7 from Argentina, 3-6, 6-1, 6-1.

Roddick hoped that it was under his control where he could just decide when he wanted to hit aces and when he didn't, for he had 19 aces in the game.

"It's definitely something. I didn't want him to get comfortable trying to block the returns back in the court and get back into baseline rallies." When he was asked about his loss in the tie breaker, Roddick answered: "I had breakpoints in the second set and I had a match point or two there, and he came up with big serves every time."

"I was serving better and better as the match was going on." Ljubicic said, "After three weeks really not able to do anything, I'm satisfied that not only my serve but all my game was a decent level after well."

"End of second set and beginning of the third was probably the only period of the match where I had some chances on his serve. But that was the only period when I had some chances. Unfortunately, again, I was not able to break him."

Ljudicic added: "In the third set I had some chances in the beginning to maybe break him, but after all, when I lost the serve, I was all over the place."

Editor: Donald