Roddick masters Dutch challenge

It was Andy Roddick's first hardcourt title

Teenager Andy Roddick beat Dutchman Sjeng Schalken to win the Legg Mason Classic in Washington.

The 18-year-old American, who was seeded nine, was a comfortable 6-2 6-3 winner over 10th seed Schalken.

The victory cemented Roddick's growing reputation on the men's circuit.

The Nebraskan, who made a name for himself by beating Pete Sampras earlier in the year, has now won three titles in 2001.

The Legg Mason win is his first hardcourt title and makes him a real contender for next week's US Open.

Roddick came out firing, serving a 116-mph ace on the first point of the match and finishing the opening game with a 130-mph service winner.

He broke Schalken in the fourth and eighth games on his way to taking the first set 6-2.

Roddick looked to have got the better of the Dutchman when he broke Schalken again in the fourth game of the second set.

Schalken broke back in the seventh game only to lose his next service game.

Roddick then served out for the title.