Roddick Survives Early Challenge

Andy Roddick passed his first test. In a year where nothing has come easy for the third seeded American, he outbattled 22 year-old Serbian Janko Tipsarevic- prevailing in an exciting four sets to win his first round match 6-7 (5), 6-4, 7-6 (6), 6-2 at Wimbledon Wednesday.

The 101st ranked player immediately proved to the two-time runner up that it would be a tough day just to move into the second round. In a match which which lasted three hours, the aggressive Tipsarevic used a solid backhand which produced some of his 50 winners to take the first set tiebreak.

Though Roddick went up an early break in the second set, his fiesty opponent continued to attack his serve. In one such game late in the set, the 23 year-old American saved five break points, including one with a remarkable lung volley winner. The huge service hold eventually allowed him to even the match.

"My whole thing is survive and advance," Roddick told reporters after serving 28 aces and saving all nine break points he faced. "I'm glad I served myself out of some big situations because I haven't done that really this year so far. My serve the last couple of weeks has gotten a lot better."

Serving to stay in the third set, Roddick battled back from 0-30 down to avoid going down a set. It would setup a crucial tiebreak which swung the match in his favor.

After dropping a point on his serve to fall behind 0-3, the fiery American softly tossed his racket in the air at the chair umpire to protest what he believed to be a long Tipsarevic shot which wasn't called. In odd fashion, as he went to pick up his racket and approached the umpire, he didn't utter a word instead returning to the baseline.

Whatever took place, it seemed to work. He took the next four points. Eventually tied at 5-5, he got the break he needed when Tipsarevic missed a forehand to give him a set point on his racket. Roddick took full advantage with a huge service winner and pump of the fist to go up two sets to one.

From there, he carried the momentum into the fourth set, breaking Tipsarevic twice en route to a well earned victory.

There will be no time off for Roddick, who was forced to wait an extra day to play his first round match due to Monday's washout. He'll next take on German Florian Mayer, who eliminated Czech Robin Vik 6-3, 6-3, 6-3.

Another first round survivor was fifth seeded Croat Ivan Ljubicic, who outlasted 2005 quarterfinalist Feliciano Lopez 6-3, 6-4, 5-7, 3-6, 11-9. Ljubicic will next face American Justin Gimelstob, who posted a 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 victory over Christophe Rochus.

While both Roddick and Ljubicic had to work extremely hard to win their opening matches, 2002 winner Lleyton Hewitt (6) had no such problems in ousting Filippo Volandri 6-1, 6-1, 6-3. He'll face Korean Hyung-Taik Lee next. Lee eliminated Brazilian Flavio Saretta 7-6 (10), 6-3, 7-5.

Other Round 1 seeded winners included Sebastien Grosjean (15), Gaston Gaudio (16), Australian runner up Marcos Baghdatis (18), Jarkko Nieminen (22), David Ferrer (23) and Dmitry Tursunov (27).

However there were two upsets. Ninth seeded Russian Nikolay Davydenko was eliminated by Colombia's Alejandro Falla 2-6, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (8), 6-3. Meanwhile, in an all-American battle, Mardy Fish knocked off 17th seeded Robby Ginepri 6-3, 6-2, 6-4.

Federer Too Much For Henman: In a much anticipated second round encounter, three-time defending champion Roger Federer was too much for English favorite Tim Henman to overcome. Despite a valiant effort from the four-time semifinalist early on, the 24 year-old Swiss number one prevailed in straight sets 6-4, 6-0, 6-2 to win his 43rd straight grasscourt match.

"It's a big relief for me to come though this match against Tim today," Federer expressed to the AP. "It's not a lot of fun beating a friend like this, that's for sure.

Friend or not, Federer displayed all his talents- finishing with 23 winners to only eight unforced errors and breaking Henman six times.

Despite the outcome, Henman wasn't discouraged; instead choosing to give full credit to his gifted conqueror.

"I'm sure I'm not the first person to lose (a set 6-0) to him and I won't be the last because he's that good," the 31 year-old 64th ranked Brit said.

"It's disappointing that I couldn't have a bigger impact in the match but I think for the large part you're just not allowed to because of the level that he plays so continuously well. He's the best player I've ever played against, full stop...and he was just too good today."

Also advancing to the third round was fourth seeded David Nalbandian, who posted a 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 win over Arnaud Clement. Seventh seeded Mario Ancic moved on with a 6-4, 6-2, 6-1 triumph over Davide Sanguinetti.

Eighth seeded American James Blake advanced to the third round for the first time with a 6-4, 6-2, 4-6, 6-2 victory over Yeu-Tzuoo Wang. He'll next meet Max Mirnyi, who ousted Mark Philippoussis 7-6 (6), 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-3.

Other Round 2 seeds who advanced included Radek Stepanek (14), Tommy Haas (19), Juan Carlos Ferrero (24) and Fernando Verdasco (28).

Frenchman Nicolas Mahut upset Belgian Kristof Vliegen (30) 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 to also make the third round.