The Serve

Roddick wins by default

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Blake loses in fifth again

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Kuznetsova does it easy

Andy Roddick has received a rails run at the US Open, with 9th seed Tomas Berdych retiring midway through the second set against the American.

Berdych quit because of a ‘breathing problem’, with the score 0-2 in the second set, after Roddick had won the first in a tie break.

“I haven’t been tested much this tournament so far,” said Roddick. That may change in the quarters when he’ll likely meet 11 time slam champion Roger Federer.

Roddick said he was aware Berdych was struggling.

“I heard him say something to the umpire early on in the first and of course I’m trying to eavesdrop on his conversation with the trainers.”

The lack of hard matches leading into a Federer showdown does not bother the American.

“I don’t know if it does too much good to worry about it. I know this is a lot better than being dead tired. If those are the two options, I’ll take this one.”

Berdych gave a curious explanation for his ailment.

“I could not breathe normally. It was hard to breathe. I didn’t feel well. Then the body was so slow. It wasn’t any straight one problem or one pain or something. So it was just like generally I didn’t feel well.

“I don’t know exactly what was wrong. I’m not feeling really well. I have just been with the doctor. I’m going to go back there again just to take blood test and get some results.”