Rueters: Roddick opens hardcourt campaign with battling win

American Andy Roddick launched his hardcourt campaign on Tuesday with a battling 6-1 6-7 6-3 second round win over Nicolas Mahut in the Toronto Masters.Back in action for the first time since a second round loss at Wimbledon, Roddick had looked eager to make quick work of the Frenchman as dark clouds gathered above centre court.

But after overwhelming Mahut in an opening set interrupted for 30 minutes by a rain delay, the world number six was unable to carry any momentum into the second as the 26-year-old Frenchman fought back to level the match in a tie-break 8-6.

In the third set, Roddick was quickly back to his dominating form, the 2003 Toronto champion breaking Mahut at the first opportunity on way to a 3-0 lead then closing out the match with his 18th ace.

“I thought I moved well and most importantly I felt well physically,” said Roddick, who has been hampered by a sore right shoulder. “Physically I feel good for the first time since our Davis Cup tie in April (against France).

“Hopefully my problems are behind me and I can play good tennis again.

“I’ve played four matches in three months but I felt good today and I felt like I hit the ball.”

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