Roddick starts with a win at Cincinnati Masters

By Xinhua

Cincinnati (Ohio) : Andy Roddick served through the opening match with a 7-6 (7-3), 6-2 victory over Fernando Verdasco at the Cincinnati Masters.


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Roddick won the tournament last year, making a triumphant return Tuesday from a long slump and pulled side muscles that had left him vulnerable. This year, the tournament is more about maintaining than regaining.

“This is where the big turnaround took place,” said Roddick, who went on to reach the US Open final after winning Cincinnati last year.

After a ragged first set, he settled in and finished off Verdasco for his 20th victory in his last 23 matches. Roddick served 13 aces, one of them clocked at 235 kmph.

The third-seeded Roddick was the only player among the tournament’s top six with a match during the first two days. The top eight seeds got first-round byes this year, giving them time to relax and practice.

Rafael Nadal welcomed the break. The second seeded Spaniard has been bothered by a sore right knee since his epic Wimbledon final loss to Roger Federer. His first match is Wednesday.

In earlier matches, ninth-seeded James Blake beat Colombian qualifier Alejandro Falla 7-6 (7-5), 6-1, and teenager Juan Martin del Potro defeated 15th-seeded Guillermo Canas 6-2, 6-2 in the first meeting between the Argentines.

Mario Ancic boosted his recovery from mononucleosis by ousting 15th-seeded Tommy Haas 3-6, 7-6 (7-3), 6-3. Jarkko Nieminen removed seventh-seeded Tommy Robredo 6-4, 6-1.

Two-time runner-up Lleyton Hewitt needed two hours and 58 minutes to beat Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (7-5) in a match with so many twists that it lacked a turning point. Hewitt had eight double faults, including one in the tiebreaker that kept it close.

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