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
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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 Bohdan Ulihrach of the Czech Republic.
Britons Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski play their opening matches on Tuesday.
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