Andy Roddick beats Fernando Gonzalez in straight sets to reach the Australian Open second round.
World number one Andy Roddick safely negotiated his opening hurdle at the Australian Open with a straight-sets victory over Fernando Gonzalez.
The top seed was made to work hard but overcame the Chilean's defiance to win
6-2 7-5 7-6.
Gonzalez, a former quarter-finalist at the French and US Opens - was a potentially tricky opponent.
But Roddick, after comfortably taking the opening set, showed his experience to win the next two tight sets.
The 21-year-old thundered down 20 aces but converted just four of 16
break points against a player ranked 35 in the world.
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I got through in straight sets with a feeling I can improve more
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"I don't think it was a good draw for either of us," Roddick said afterwards. "I really
had to play well out there.
"For the most part I served well on the big points, especially in the tie-breaker - I didn't miss a serve.
He will next play either Bohdan Ulihrach of the Czech Republic or Lars Burgsmuller of Germany.
Defending champion Andre Agassi plays Todd Larkham in Monday's late match.
Britons Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski play their opening matches on Tuesday.
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MMIX
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