Roddick off and running in Memphis

 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 12:19

The American world number six, who has reached the Australian Open and San Jose semi-finals so far this season, has made three finals over his previous eight appearances on the Memphis hardcourt, but has only the 2002 crown to show for his efforts.

Darcis dropped to 5-1 in Memphis after the unseeded Belgian again failed to win his first match of the year after first round losses in Brisbane, Auckland, at the Australian Open and in San Jose.

Lleyton Hewitt secured his first major win since undergoing hip surgery after coming from a set down to defeat world number 13 James Blake 3-6 6-1 6-4.

World number 13 Blake looked comfortable in the first set before Hewitt dug deep in the second to blitz the American and pinch the momentum.

In the decider, Hewitt had a match point opportunity on Blake’s serve at 5-3, but failed to convert.

But fortunately the South Australian was able to close out the match on serve to set up an encounter with compatriot Chris Guccione.

Robby Ginepri claimed a 6-4 6-4 win over German qualifier Simon Greul, while seventh seeded American Mardy Fish topped Taipei’s Yun-Hsun Lu 6-1 7-5.

Eighth seeded Sam Querrey – in the same half of the draw as compatriots Roddick, Blake and Fish – enjoyed a successful bout against Tommy Haas of Germany posting a 7-6 (7-/4) 6-4 triumph.

Finally, Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic beat American qualifier Kevin Kim 6-4 6-2, while unseeded German Philipp Petzschner advanced to the second round with a 6-3 6-4 win over Finland’s Jarkko Nieminen.

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