Roddick survives scare

Roddick's third-round clash with Spain's Fernando Verdasco did not begin until 7pm thanks to two rain delays and previous lengthy matches on court one.

That did not look a problem as the American raced through the opening two sets in just 58 minutes, but the third seed had to come from a break down and save two set points before sealing victory in a third-set tie-break.

With both players relying heavily on their powerful serves, it was never destined to be a classic confrontation.

A rare touch of finesse from Roddick was enough for the one break he needed to take the opening set 6-3, and a break in the opening game of the second saw the two-time finalist take that 6-4.

The 24-year-old saved a break point early in the third set with the aid of an ace measured at 144mph, but just when it seemed he would breeze through to the fourth round with almost unseemly haste, he lost his serve in the fourth game with a tame forehand into the net.

Verdasco, who had not dropped a set in his opening two matches, sensed he was back in with a chance and almost broke again for a 5-1 lead, and that let-off proved crucial.

Serving for the set at 5-3, Verdasco became so unnerved that he made possibly the worst Hawk-Eye challenge ever seen, his forehand landing at least a foot beyond the baseline. That put him 15-30 down and Roddick took the next two points as well to break back, only to then face set points on each of his next two service games.

Saving those necessitated a tie-break and Roddick gained the upper hand with a defensive half volley which luckily turned into an ideal lob over the wrong-footed Verdasco.

Roddick took the next four points as well to win it 7-2 and book a last 16 clash with France's Paul-Henri Mathieu.