Withdrawal sees Roddick into third round

Former champion Andy Roddick suffered a first-set setback but still eased into the US Open third round when Argentina’s Jose Acasuso limped out of their match in New York today.

Fifth-seed Roddick, who was the last man to take the title before Roger Federer when he won at the age of 19 in 2003, remained on course to meet the reigning champion in the quarter-finals after Acasuso succumbed to a knee injury with the scores at 4-6 6-1 6-2 at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing Meadows.

The Argentine had taken the first set from the American, who then blasted back into contention by taking the second.

At the end of that set, as Acasuso returned to his chair, he called for the ATP trainer and received treatment on his left knee.

When play resumed, Roddick broke Acasuso in the first game of the third as his opponent struggled to gain power off his injured leg.

The Argentine received more treatment at the next change but with limited movement Roddick proved too strong and when last year’s finalist closed out the third set, Acasuso called it quits.

American teenager Donald Young took advantage of another withdrawal when 13th seed Richard Gasquet pulled out before their scheduled second round tie.

Young, 18, was due to play the Wimbledon semi-finalist at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center’s Louis Armstrong Stadium on Thursday morning as the second match on court.

Gasquet, though, decided to quit after a practice session that began just an hour before the opening match was due to get under way. He told tournament officials he was suffering from a fever and a sore throat.

Wild card Young, who opened his U.S. Open campaign with a 6-7 (2-7) 6-3 6-2 6-3 victory over Chris Guccione, now awaits the winner of the Igor Andreev and Feliciano Lopez match, with the incentive of a fourth-round tie against top seed Roger Federer waiting.

Ninth-seed Tomas Berdych completed a straightforward victory over Italy’s Simone Bolelli, winning 7-5 6-3 6-3 to advance to the third round, but Guillermo Canas was not so fortunate, being dumped out the championship by Korean veteran Hyung-Taik Lee in straight sets.