Roddick races into third round
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MELBOURNE, Australia (Reuters) -- Top seed Andy Roddick flashed past Czech Bohdan Ulihrach 6-2 6-2 6-3 to reach the third round of the Australian Open.
A fitter, stronger Roddick made light of the scorching conditions, the U.S. Open champion blasting through his second round match in just 73 minutes to underline his championship credentials.
"My serve felt great today. I felt like I was hitting my big one pretty well," said the 21-year-old American, who pummeled 20 aces in another awesome display of power.
After the match, Roddick warned that his confidence was sky-high after winning his first grand slam title in 2003 in New York.
"I think the biggest difference is when I don't feel like I'm playing that well, I still have an underlying confidence," said Roddick. "Whereas before I would have panicked a little."
There was nothing wrong with Roddick's game against Ulihrach, however, the "A-Rod" completely dominant from the baseline and winning 93 percent of points on his first serve.
Luck, too, was on the side of the American, who gained the decisive break in the third set when a backhand clipped the net and looped over a hapless Ulihrach, landing just inside the baseline to give him a 3-1 lead.
Roddick, semifinalist in Melbourne last year, fittingly closed out the match with another unreturnable serve to set up a clash with another big-serving American, Taylor Dent on Friday.
"Taylor has got everything," said Roddick. "He can break serve, he serves big. I think it's just a matter of it coming together for him.
"Hopefully, he'll delay it for a couple more days."
Dent, the 27th seed, reached the third round with a hard-fought 3-6 6-4 4-6 7-6 7-5 win over Argentine Juan Ignacio Chela.
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Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
