Roddick eliminated, Federer wins

Paris:

Andy Roddick lost in the first round of the French Open on Tuesday, falling to Igor Andreev of Russia 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4.

The third-seeded American, who also lost in the first round last year at Roland Garros, was broken at love in the third game of the final set, double-faulting for the first time in the match on the final point.

Roddick hasn't won consecutive matches at Roland Garros since 2001. Last year, he quit with an ankle injury after losing his first two sets against Alberto Martin of Spain.

Roddick has reached two finals at the US Open, winning the 2003 title, and also two finals at Wimbledon. But at the French Open, he's only once been as far as the third round. Since 2001, Roddick has had two second-round losses and four first-round exits.

Andreev had been the last man to beat Rafael Nadal on clay before Roger Federer defeated the second-ranked Spaniard at the Hamburg Masters and ended his 81-match winning streak on the surface.

Federer wins easy

Earlier, the top-ranked Federer beat Michael Russell of the United States 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 in a first-round match that started on Monday.

Federer, who is bidding for a fourth straight major title and a career Grand Slam, led 6-4, 4-1 before rain halted play. He returned to center court with sun breaking through the clouds Tuesday and quickly earned his spot in the second round.

"It's not easy," Federer said. "It's kind of cool today, windy, been raining the last few days. So we haven't been having much of a chance to hit much tennis balls."

Federer didn't face a break point, winning 78 per cent of points on his serve.

"I served well," said Federer, a 10-time Grand Slam champion who will next face Thierry Ascione. "And I was able to return his serve, and I was able to break him and it was a solid performance."

Guillermo Canas, who beat Federer twice this year, reached the second round by defeating Victor Hanescu of Romania 6-3, 6-1, 6-4. Canas served a 15-month ban for doping that ended in September.

"Oh, it's great to be here," said Canas, who tested positive for a diuretic in 2005. "It's great to be in the French Open again. It's great to play my first Grand Slam after my suspension."

Filippo Volandri advanced by defeating Paul Capdeville of Chile 6-3, 7-5, 6-3. The Italian beat Federer at the Rome Masters.

Jankovic advances

Jelena Jankovic, one of the favorites heading into the French Open because of her win at the Italian Open earlier this month, advanced by beating Stephanie Foretz of France 6-2, 6-2.

The fourth-seeded Serb converted four of her five break points in the first set, and then broke her unseeded opponent three more times in the second.

"You don't play your best tennis in the first round," said Jankovic, who was broken twice in the first set. "It was a little bit slow and the balls were quite heavy."

The 22-year-old Jankovic, who is ranked fifth, pulled out of the semifinals of last week's clay-court event in Strasbourg because of gastroenteritis.

"I recovered well and I'm ready to play," Jankovic said.

Also advancing was No 6 Nicole Vaidisova, 2004 runner-up Elena Dementieva, No 18 Marion Bartoli, No 20 Sybille Bammer, No 23 Francesca Schiavone and No 28 Mara Santangelo. No 11 Nadia Petrova of Russia lost to Kveta Peschke of Germany 7-5, 5-7, 6-0.

Vaidisova reached the semifinals at Roland Garros last year, but she had been hindered by injuries recently.

"For the last week and half I've been pain free," the 10th-ranked Czech said. "But of course I'm lacking some matches."

Maria Sharapova and Amelie Mauresmo will play no earlier than Wednesday.

Walkover for Youzhny

In men's play, No 13 Mikhail Youzhny advanced when Jan Hernych of the Czech Republic pulled out after only nine points in the first game of the match because of a back injury.

"I really wanted to play today, actually. But I have a little pain in my back, so one more day rest is good," said Youzhny, who has reached three finals this year. "After Hamburg, I only practiced, so I think one more day for my back is good."

Youzhny will next face Nicolas Lapentti of Ecuador, who advanced when Alexander Peya retired with digestive problems.

Seventh-ranked Ivan Ljubicic, No 9 Tommy Robredo, No 11 Richard Gasquet, No 14 Lleyton Hewitt, No 15 David Nalbandian, No 16 Marcos Baghdatis, No 17 Juan Carlos Ferrero, No 18 Juan Ignacio Chela, No 21 Dmitry Tursunov, No 27 Jurgen Melzer and No 32 Nicolas Almagro also reached the second round. No 30 Julien Benneteau of France, a quarterfinalist last year, lost to Carlos Berlocq of Argentina 6-7 (5), 7-5, 6-2, 6-3.

The first two days of the tournament were marked by rain. Only 14 matches were completed before Tuesday.