America's own Andy Roddick won his first U.S. Open on Sunday by defeating Juan Carlos Ferrero of Spain. The win was also Roddick’s first Grand Slam victory.

Roddick beat Ferrero 6-3, 7-6 (7-2), 6-3. "I came here so much when I was younger," Roddick said after his big win as his family, friends and girlfriend, actress and pop singer Mandy Moore, looked on. "I still don't believe that I've won the U.S. Open. It's so farfetched for me."

Tennis' Next Generation

The win was especially meaningful for the 21-year-old tennis sensation because earlier in the tournament, last year’s champion, American Pete Sampras, retired. Many people believe Roddick represents the next generation of American tennis players.

Roddick, who turned 21 during the Open, and Ferrero, 23, are the youngest U.S. Open finalists since 19-year-old Sampras beat 20-year-old American Andre Agassi in the 1990 U.S. Open final. Sampras is still the youngest player ever to win the U.S. Open.

Even though Ferrero lost in the final, he is now ranked number one in the world. On Saturday, Ferrero, who is called "Mosquito" for the way he moves around the court, beat Agassi for the number one ranking. Roddick's win makes him the number two men's player in the world.

Belgian Showdown

In the women’s final, two Belgians fought for the championship title. The number two player in the world, Justine Henin-Hardenne, beat the top-ranked Kim Clijsters 7-5, 6-1. The win was especially sweet because Henin-Hardenne struggled to beat American Jennifer Capriati just the night before.

Where were the Williams Sisters?

Missing from the tournament were American tennis stars, sisters Serena and Venus Williams, who competed against one another in last year's U.S. Open final. Serena, last year's champ, and her number five-ranked sister were both injured and had to sit the tournament out.

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