American Andy Roddick blasted his way past Bjorn Phau of Germany 6-1 6-4 6-2 to close Monday’s opening day at the U.S. Open.
The fifth-seeded Roddick, who pushed Roger Federer to an epic 30-game fifth set in the Wimbledon final, hardly had to break a sweat against the 84th-ranked Phau.
Banging in more than 80 percent of his sizzling first serves and showing off improved fitness with spectacular retrievals and diving volleys, Roddick breezed to victory in 95 minutes.
Roddick, the last player to win the U.S. Open crown before Roger Federer began his five-year reign, will next play 81st-ranked Marc Gicquel of France, who beat Russian Dmitry Tursunov.
