ANDY RODDICK won the battle of the big-hitting former grand slam champions in four sets to bring an early end to Marat Safin’s Australian Open campaign.

Russia’s Marat Safin battled back to overcome Dudi Sela in five sets to set up a mouth-watering third-round clash with American Andy Roddick at the Australian Open.

Defending champion Roger Federer felt the success of his serve had contributed significantly in his straight sets victory over Swedish veteran Jonas Bjorkman at the Australian Open.

Andy Murray has been handed his highest seeding for a grand slam event after being installed at 15 for next week’s Australian Open.

Fernando Gonzalez continued his impressive run at the BA-CA Tennis Trophy on Saturday with victory over third-seeded Andy Roddick.

It took just one break of serve for Andy Roddick to feel he was on his way to victory as he steamrollered his first US Open opponent to erase the painful memory of last year’s shock first-round exit.

FIVE-TIME Grand Slam winner Justine Henin-Hardenne’s march towards reclaiming her US Open title began in earnest on Monday as she cruised past Maria Elena Camerin 6-2, 6-1 in an opening round match yesterday.

Defending champion Rafael Nadal avoided a major upset on the day of his 20th birthday as he battled back from a set down to win his third-round clash against crowd favourite Paul-Henri Mathieu.

Former world number one Lleyton Hewitt was satisfied with both his game and his ankle after progressing to the French Open’s third round today.

World number one Roger Federer never believed he would fail to reach the quarter-final of the Australian Open – despite being taken to a deciding set by Tommy Haas.

Nicolas Kiefer, Nikolay Davydenko and Sebastien Grosjean all booked spots in the quarter-finals after a day of tough encounters at the Australian Open.

Roger Federer is on track for a second Australian Open crown in three years after comfortably defeating Belorussian Max Mirnyi to reach the fourth round at Melbourne Park.

Roger Federer headed a near clean sweep by the men’s seeds during the fourth day of the Australian Open in Melbourne.

MARTINA HINGIS looked as if she’d never been away.

Third seed and last year's runner-up Lleyton Hewitt will begin his quest for the Australian Open title with a first round match against Czech Robin Vik.

Greg Rusedski believes his hard work in training is about to pay off as he closes in on taking over the British number one spot from Tim Henman.

Greg Rusedski eased into the second round of the Kremlin Cup with a straight-sets victory over Michael Llodra.

Top seed Roger Federer booked his place in the last 16 of the US Open with a 6-3 7-6 (8/6) 6-2 victory against Olivier Rochus at Flushing Meadows.

RAFAEL NADAL was left licking his wounds yesterday after his US Open campaign came to a shuddering halt at the hands of American wildcard James Blake.

Third seed Lleyton Hewitt advanced to the fourth round of the US Open today after a thrilling five-set victory against Taylor Dent.

Greg Rusedski is through to the second round of the Rogers Cup in Montreal after defeating Swiss qualifier Stanislas Wawrinka.

He is an 18-year-old junior Grand Slam champion whose game is fashioned out of a fist-pumping fury.

ROGER FEDERER’S quest for a third straight Wimbledon title got off to a strong start.

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal powered into the second round of the French Open today as both made impressive opening-day statements of intent.

Kim Clijsters moved a step closer to a second straight tournament victory after thrashing fourth seed Elena Dementieva 6-2 6-1 in the quarter-finals of the Nasdaq-100 Open in Miami.

Switzerland’s Roger Federer today cruised into the semi-finals of the Australian Open with a ruthless demolition of four-time champion Andre Agassi.

Marat Safin made the most of the cooler conditions to cruise into the semi-finals of the Australian Open today.

ANDRE AGASSI overcame a record 51 aces by Joachim Johansson yesterday and set up an Australian Open quarter-final against defending champion Roger Federer.

Switzerland’s Roger Federer extended his winning streak to 25 matches to set up a mouth-watering quarter-final clash with Andre Agassi at the Australian Open.

FOUR-TIME champion Andre Agassi used lobs and stinging passes to hold off Taylor Dent 7-5, 7-6 (7-3), 6-1 yesterday, reaching the fourth round of the Australian Open and moving closer to a showdown with Roger Federer.

Russia’s Marat Safin dropped his first set of the tournament but kept his temper in check to beat Mario Ancic in the Australian Open today.

Russia’s Marat Safin is enjoying taking things easy as he targets a second straight Australian Open final appearance.

Gusting winds and a gutsy Andre Agassi were not enough to blow Roger Federer away.

Tim Henman is facing the biggest weekend of his career as he looks to win his first Grand Slam title.

Tim Henman reached the semi-final of the US Open tonight – and was again made to work for his victory at Flushing Meadows.

TIM Henman reached the US Open quarter-finals for the first time as opponent Nicolas Kiefer withdrew in the fifth set of their fourth-round clash with a wrist injury at Flushing Meadows yesterday.

Top seed Roger Federer remains on course to win his third Grand Slam of the year after advancing to the quarter-finals at Flushing Meadows thanks to a walkover.

Tim Henman reached the quarter-finals of the US Open for the first time in his career as opponent Nicolas Kiefer withdrew in the fifth set of their fourth-round clash with a wrist injury.

US Open Championship, Flushing Meadows, New York

These are the results from today's tennis events at the Athens Olympics:

Roger Federer’s 23-match winning streak was brought to a halt in Cincinnati by Dominik Hrbaty of Slovakia.

World number five and top seed Guillermo Coria was forced to pull out of the Heineken Open in Auckland after straining stomach muscles.