Andy Roddick Wins Paris Opener

Andy Roddick moved a step to qualifying for the ATP World Tour Finals in London has he dropped just five games in an emphatic win over Jarrko Nieminen.

The American's serve was on fine form as he dropped just nine points on his serve, facing no break points during the match.

It was a strong start for Roddick who broke his opponent immediately and opened up a 3-0 lead. Another break came in the sixth game as he was totally in control of the first set, which he won 6-1.

Into the second and while Nieminen was broken again in the third game he did show more resistance. But that break proved to be enough as Roddick wrapped up the match 6-1 6-4 on his third match point.

Speaking to the ATP after the match Roddick said: "Every match I win is significant at this point. [It] puts more pressure on the guys behind me. I have a pretty good shot no matter how I do here this week.

"But I think the last thing you want to do is be in that position where you're at home cheering against somebody hoping that something bad happens to them. 

"You'd like to win it, do it on your own terms, and that's something that I'd certainly like to do."

Roddick is currently eight in the race for London and will make the trip to the O2 unless there are some outstanding performances from Fernando Verdasco or Jurgen Melzer this week.

The American did qualify for the tournament twelve months ago but was forced to pull out due to an injury, he was replaced by Robin Soderling.

Roddick will now face Ernests Gulbis in the next round. The Latvian overcame Mikhail Younzhny yesterday after the Russian retired in the third set with a back injury.

And Verdasco kept his hopes of returning to the O2 for the second year in a row as he overcame a poor start to see off Arnaud Clement.

Clement, roared on by the Paris crowd, adjusted better to the speed of the court in the opening set, Verdasco clearly struggled with the pace.

A single break of serve was all Clement needed to take the opening set and when Verdasco threw away a 2-0 lead in the second it looked like it wasn't going to go Verdasco's way.

The Paris Open is the last chance for Verdasco, who currently sits ninth in the race for the eight places at the O2, to pick up some points and boost his qualification chances.

Clement broke again to lead 2-3 but Verdasco dug in his heels and began to fight back, a battling spirit we have not seen on the court for some weeks.

Verdasco won ten consecutive game  in a sensational comeback to wrap up a 3-6, 6-3, 6-0 win.

He will now face Gael Monfils in the third round after the Frenchman came through against Benjamin Becker 7-6 (7-4) 6-4.

FemaleFirst Helen Eanshaw