June 27, 2008

SERBIA'S Serbia's Janko Tipsarevic beat Andy Roddick 6-7 (5-7) 7-5 6-4 7-6 (7-4)to end the No.6 seed's involvement in Wimbledon at the second round.

Roddick, the runner-up in 2004 and 2005 to Roger Federer, slumped to his worst defeat in nine visits to the tournament.

But it was better news for No.2 seed Rafael Nadal, bidding to become only the third man to win the French Open and Wimbledon in the same season, who saw off 19-year-old Latvian Ernests Gulbis 5-7 6-2 7-6 (7-2) 6-3.

Tipsarevic, who now faces Russia's Dmitry Tursunov for a place in the last 16, also rode to the rescue of Serbian men's tennis a day after No.3 seed Novak Djokovic was knocked out by Marat Safin.

Roddick only returned to the tour at Queen's last week after a shoulder injury cut short his clay-court season and his lack of sharpness told in this gruelling three-hour match where he failed to convert any of his eight break points.

Despite firing down 27 aces, he was unable to convert three set points which would have taken the second roud tie into a decider.

"He's capable of playing well, especially when you give him opportunity after opportunity and kind of let him off the hook. I mean, that's not shocking,'' said Roddick.

"Angry and disappointed in myself? Absolutely.''

Tipsarevic, who wears tinted glasses on court, celebrated victory by collapsing to the turf as he avenged his defeat to the American in the first round here two years ago.

Nadal will tackle experienced German Nicolas Kiefer for a place in the last 16.

"I knew beforehand that it would be a very difficult match. He's a tough player who will be at the top very soon,'' said Nadal, who has been runner-up to Federer in the last two years.

"I served only so-so at the start but it got better as the match went on and I feel that I improved.''

Local hope, the No.12 seed Andy Murray, kept British hopes alive by brushing aside Belgium's Xavier Malisse 6-4 6-2 6-2 and now faces Germany's Tommy Haas, who put out No.23 seed Tommy Robredo 6-4 6-4 6-3.

But America's James Blake, the No.9 seed, was knocked out by Rainer Schuettler, with the 32-year-old German winning 6-3 6-7 (8/10) 4-6 6-4 6-4.