Illness forces Roddick withdrawal

World number eight Andy Roddick has been forced to withdraw from the Delray Beach International Tennis Championships due to illness.

The American had secured his 30th career title in Memphis on Sunday, but was pushed all the way in his 7-6 (9-7) 6-7 (11/13) 7-5 success over Milos Raonic, in a match lasting two hours and 36 minutes.

The after-effects of that effort left the 28-year-old, who has not played at Delray Beach since 2003, struggling with a flu-like illness and he told the ATP Tour website: “I’m very disappointed. I’ve waited too long to come back and play this tournament.

“It’s just unfortunate timing. I was looking forward to coming back. I honestly don’t feel I can go out there and give my best.”

On the court Roddick’s compatriot Sam Querrey advanced to the second round as the third seed saw of Germany’s Dustin Brown 6-3 5-7 6-3 while wild card James Blake also progresses with a 7-5 6-4 success against Benjamin Becker.

Rainer Schuettler let a promising position slip as he lost 2-6 6-2 6-3 to Ricardo Mello and France’s Florent Serra defeated wild card Ryan Harrison 3-6 6-3 7-5.