Andy Roddick Enjoys Opening Win

Andy Roddick returned to action for the first time since losing in the second round at the US Open as he saw off Tatsuma Ito in the first round of the Japan Open.

It was Roddick's powerful serve and ground strokes that prevented Ito from ever really getting into the match, in what was a straight forward win for the American.

Roddick needed just eighty two minutes to see of the local favourite as he wrapped up a straight forward 604 6-3 win to progress to the next round.

Speaking to the BBC after the match Roddick said: "Since New York, I've just been working on getting back my physical shape and I feel that I've been able to do that.

"He played very well in the first set. It was a little bit uncomfortable, because he hits every ball hard and flat and the court is very fast, so there wasn't a chance to get into my rhythm.

"In the second set, I don't think he played as well, but on this fast surface, it's certainly uncomfortable."

Roddick will now face Jeremy Chardy as he saw off Edouard Roger-Vasselin 6-3 7-6 (7-2).

Jurgen Melzer also notched up a win as he saw off Juan Monaco 6-4 4-6 6-1, with that win he ends a four match losing streak. But it was bad news for Michael Llodra as he fell to Marco Chiudinelli 6-3 6-0.

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw