Dusk on Monday saw a competitive doubles battle on Court 3 where James Blake and Xavier Malisse edged out a victory over Andy Roddick and Robby Ginepri in a super tie break 6-3, 6-7(4), 10-8.

Andy’s Davis Cup team mate, James Blake and his partner Xavier Malisse drew first blood in the match as they broke Roddick/Ginepri for a 4-3 lead. Blake and Malisse won over half of the service points on Andy and Robby’s serves, and had more consistency on their second serve as they took a one set lead.

Andy and Robby dug deep and fired all the aces in the second set. They increased their receiving points percentage and broke Blake and Malisse to love to serve for the set at 6-5. Playing dirt ball too, Blake and Malisse worked hard to force the tie break.

The gloves came off in the tie break as all players fought hard to establish a lead in the breaker. Andy and Robby finally put some distance between themselves and their opponents and took advantage of their first set point at 6-4 to level the match at one set all.

As a part of the new doubles rules, instead of a third set, the players competed for victory in a super tie break decider. Blake and Malisse took the upper hand early and despite a last minute resurgence from Andy and Robby, it was not enough to stop Blake and Malisse clinching victory.

Despite the loss, this match will have provided Andy with superb practice ahead of his singles match on Tuesday. Stay tuned to AR.com for all the latest on Andy in Rome!