SHANGHAI (AFP) — American Andy Roddick brushed aside injury concerns ahead of this month's Davis Cup final despite struggling with a back problem during his Masters Cup semi-final.
The world number five, who is returning from an ankle injury, needed treatment to his lower back during the comprehensive 6-1, 6-3 drubbing by Spain's David Ferrer.
But he said he had no fitness worries for the Davis Cup final against Russia, starting on November 30 in Portland, Oregon.
"There was some stiffness. It was really stiff. My range of motion was really bad," Roddick said.
"After I got some stuff on it, it loosened up pretty well for the second set. It's not sharp pain. It's nothing that should affect me come the final of the Davis Cup."
Roddick beat Russia's Nikolay Davydenko in his opening match and described his run at the year-ending Masters Cup as good preparation for the team showdown.
"I feel confident. You know, it was nice to get a win over Davydenko and I've been able to beat (Mikhail) Youzhny the last couple times we've played," Roddick said.
"We have the best doubles team in the world in our corner," he added, referring to top-ranked twins Bob and Mike Bryan.
"I think we're feeling confident. But getting that confidence to translate to the court and getting a win is a tall task, especially since we lost to them last year. But I like our team."
Roddick started the eight-man Masters Cup strongly with wins over Davydenko and Fernando Gonzalez. But he was humiliated 6-4, 6-2 by defending champion Roger Federer before being blown away by Ferrer.
"There are some positives. Having played one match since the US Open, to get to the semis and to get four matches under my belt before our Davis Cup final was needed," he said.
"I kind of have to try to move on because this isn't the end of my year. We have a couple of matches in 12 days or so. So that's where my focus goes now."
The Texan also denied rumours of a split with coaching mentor Jimmy Connors, who has been advising him over the telephone.
"We definitely plan on continuing," he said. "This year was a little bit rough -- had some rough breaks and some kind of little injuries at some poor times, which is unfortunate.
"We just keep moving forward and look forward to next year."
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