ROME, May 4: Number two seed Andy Roddick, lucky to escape with his life at the weekend after his hotel was swept by a fire that killed three people, bit the dust in the first round of the Rome Masters here on Tuesday.
The American world number two served poorly and produced 35 unforced errors on his way to a crushing 7-6 (9/7), 6-1 defeat to unseeded Argentinian Guillermo Canas at the Foro Italico.
Roddick, the 2003 US Open winner, said Saturday's blaze - during which he rang his mother in Florida to ask for her advice on what to do and then offered to buy the firemen pizzas if they rescued him and several other guests who had made it into his room - had been playing on his mind, but refused to use it as an excuse for his straight sets loss.
Canas said Roddick's wayward serving swung the match in his favour. Canas will face Spaniard David Sanchez in round two. Swiss number one seed Roger Federer had no such difficulty, easing into the second round with a straight sets victory over Jonas Bjorkman.
The world number one barely moved out of second gear but still had too much for the veteran Swede, winning 7-6 (7/4), 6-3. The reigning Wimbledon and Australian Open champion will meet Albert Costa in next round.
Federer admitted he performed below his best, but blamed the blustery conditions for his lacklustre performance. Federer, who lost last year's final here to Spaniard Felix Mantilla, said he would have to cut down on the errors if he was to get past clay court specialist Costa, the 2002 French Open winner.
Czech number 12 seed Jiri Novak needed a third set to shake off unseeded American James Blake. Novak, who won, 2-6, 6-3, 6-1, will play the winner of the match between Austrian Stefan Koubek and Belarusian Max Mirnyi.
Defending champion Mantilla produced an heroic display, saving four match points before shaking off Robby Ginepri of the United States. Mantilla, who eventually won 5-7, 7-5, 6-0, said his stirring comeback would boost his confidence for when he plays Argentine Mariano Zabaleta in round two.
French number seven seed Sebastien Grosjean ousted Spaniard Feliciano Lopez 7-5, 6-2, while Peruvian Luis Horna needed a third set to beat Russian Mikhail Youzhny.
First round:
Guillermo Canas (ARG) bt Andy Roddick (USA) 7-6 (9/7), 6-1; Nikolay Davydenko (RUS) bt Sargis Sargsian (ARM) 6-2, 6-2; Sebastien Grosjean (FRA) bt Feliciano Lopez (SPA) 7-5, 6-2; Max Mirnyi (BLR) bt Stefan Koubek (AUT) 6-2, 6-4; Ivan Ljubicic (CRO) bt Arnaud Clement (FRA) 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (7/3); Hicham Arazi (MOR) bt Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo (SPA) 6-1, 6-3; Nicolas Massu (CHI) bt Massimo Dell'Acqua (ITA) 6-7 (11/13), 7-5, 6-3; Martin Verkerk (NED) bt Todd Martin (USA) 7-5, 3-6, 6-3; Filippo Volandri (ITA) bt Nicolas Kiefer (GER) 6-4, 0-6, 6-0; Felix Mantilla (SPA) bt Robby Genepri (USA) 5-7, 7-5, 6-0; Luis Horna (PER) bt Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) 6-0, 4-6, 7-6 (8/6); Roger Federer (SWI) bt Jonas Bjorkman (SWE) 7-6 (7/4), 6-3; Jiri Novak (CZE) bt James Blake (USA) 2-6, 6-3, 6-1.
Berlin WTA results
BERLIN: Results from the US$1.3m Berlin WTA tournament on Tuesday:
