Qualifier dumps Roddick in Round 1

Former world number one Andy Roddick was dumped out in the first round of the Madrid Open,upset 6-4 6-7 6-3 by qualifier Flavio Cipolla

Former world number one Andy Roddick was dumped out in the first round of the Madrid Open on Monday,upset 6-4 6-7 6-3 by qualifier Flavio Cipolla. The American 12th seed,who lost to Roger Federer in the quarter-finals two years ago on his most recent appearance at the clay event,had his serve broken four times by the Italian ranked 148 places below him at number 160.

Roddicks friend and compatriot Mardy Fish,the 12th seed,who recently stormed in the world top-10,was also eliminated in the first round,losing 7-6 4-6 7-6 to fellow American John Isner.

Qualifier Thiemo de Bakker of the Netherlands fought back to beat former world number one and wild card Juan Carlos Ferrero 2-6 7-5 6-4,while ninth-seeded Frenchman Gael Monfils defeated big-serving Croat Ivo Karlovic 6-3 7-6.

World number one and top seed Rafa Nadal,who has a bye into the second round,will play Marcos Baghdatis after the former Australian Open finalist edged past Colombian qualifier Alejandro Falla 6-3 3-6 7-6. Nadal had already mentioned the day the draws were announced that he has some tough matches. The draw,without doubt,was not favorable8230; Whats more,it was pretty negative, Nadal,who won back-to-back tournaments on his favored clay at the Monte Carlo Masters and the Barcelona Open last month,said.

Nadal said the altitude of the Spanish capital,which stands at around 650 meters above sea level,would be a factor as it means the ball flies faster through the air,the courts act faster and favors players with a bigger serve and hard court specialist.

Federer happy with form

Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer,the second and third seeds,also play their opening matches Wednesday. Federer said he is happy with his form this year despite having won only one title,saying he hopes to keep playing for a long time.

Speaking at the Madrid Open,he said,once you reach a good level in tennis it fills you with a lot of motivation. I hope I can do it for a long time.

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Federer won the Doha title in January and has a 24-5 record this year,but lost his No. 2 ranking to Novak Djovokic after losing three times to the Serb in 2011. The Swiss star says 8221;I struggled in Dubai when losing in straight sets to Djovokic in the final,8221;but Miami was OK until I met Nadal in the semifinal.

Federer says he has been in the 8221;gym getting ready for Madrid and a tough stretch ahead until Wimbledon.