Roddick gets season under way

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:11

Fourth-seeded Roddick, whose only previous outing in 2009 resulted in a defeat to Nikolay Davydenko in a exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi, fared better here as he was rarely threatened by the Spaniard.

The big-serving American prevailed 6-1 6-3 and will now meet either Diego Junqueira or experienced Frenchman Arnaud Clement in round two.

Fifth seed Gael Monfils also made serene progress thanks to a 6-2 6-2 victory over Jan Hernych.

Nicolas Devilder thrashed Abdulla Haji 6-0 6-3, Victor Hanescu saw off Viktor Troicki 6-4 6-2 but diminutive Belgian Christophe Rochus went down 2-6 6-3 7-6 (7/3) to Sergiy Stakhovsky.

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By Tim Farthing

About the Author / Tim Farthing

Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.