Sat Mar 29 23:56:38 2008

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Roddick sneaks into third round in Miami; Federer advances

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Miami, FL (Sports Network) - Former champion Andy Roddick came from behind on Saturday to reach the third round at the $3.77 million Sony Ericsson Open -- the second of nine ATP Masters Series events this year.

The sixth-seeded former world No. 1 Roddick went the distance to sneak past Serbian qualifier Viktor Troicki 5-7, 6-2, 6-4 at Crandon Park. The American Roddick captured this event back in 2004.

Roddick's next opponent will be Czech qualifier Ivo Minar.

World No. 1 Roger Federer, who titled here back-to-back in 2005 and 2006, moved into round three with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Gael Monfils, beating a French opponent for a 20th straight time. Federer's last loss to a French player was against Richard Gasquet on April 15, 2005 in the quarterfinals at ATP Masters Series Monte Carlo. Since 2003, Federer is 34-1 against Frenchmen.

Next up for Federer will be 28th seed Robin Soderling of Sweden, as he topped Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland, 3-6, 6-4, 6-3.

Fourth seed Nikolay Davydenko of Russia rallied to beat Latvian Ernests Gulbis, 3-6, 7-6 (8-6), 7-6 (7-3), but fifth-seeded Spaniard David Ferrer was ousted by Swede Thomas Johansson, 6-4, 7-5.

Eleventh-seeded Russian Mikhail Youzhny leveled American qualifier Bobby Reynolds 6-2, 6-2, while 12th-seeded Australian Open runner-up Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, of France overcame Austrian left-hander Jurgen Melzer 6-7 (4-7), 7-5, 6-1 in the second day of second-round play here.

Notable upsets came when Brit Andy Murray, the 13th seed, was beaten by Croatian wild card Mario Ancic, 6-2, 2-6, 7-6 (9-7). Ancic saved seven match points before advancing. Capable Israeli Dudi Sela subdued 14th-seeded Spaniard Tommy Robredo 7-6 (7-5), 6-1 and Argentine slugger Jose Acasuso bumped 21st-seeded Aussie Lleyton Hewitt 6-3, 7-6 (7-4).

Juan Monaco, the 18th seed from Argentina, got past American qualifier Ryan Sweeting, 6-3, 7-5.

Milder upsets came when Frenchman Julien Benneteau took out 19th-seeded Croat Ivo Karlovic 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-2); Italian Simone Bolelli dismissed 26th-seeded German Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-4, 6-3; Serbian Janko Tipsarevic tripped up 29th-seeded Spaniard Fernando Verdasco 6-4, 7-6 (7-4); and the aforementioned Minar toppled 30th-seeded Argentine Juan Ignacio Chela 6-3, 5-7, 6-3. Karlovic is now 0-5 lifetime at this prestigious event.

Gritty Spaniard Nicolas Almagro, seeded 24th here, got past pesky Frenchman Arnaud Clement 6-2, 6-2 on Day 4 at this 12-day tournament.

The 2008 Miami champion will claim $590,000.