Reuters: Roddick draws first blood to put U.S. ahead

OSTRAVA, Czech Republic, Feb 9 (Reuters) - Former world number one Andy Roddick beat Ivo Minar 6-4 4-6 6-2 6-3 to give the United States a 1-0 lead against the Czech Republic in their world group first-round tie on Friday.

Roddick hit 28 aces to beat Minar, ranked 160th in the world and making his Davis Cup debut.

The American number one looked confident despite playing on the slow clay of CEZ Arena, quietening the home crowd by breaking Minar to close out the first set.

But the Czech showed he was not going without a fight, breaking Roddick’s powerful serve in the opening game of the second set and then holding his nerve to level the score.

Click here to read the full article at Rueters.