Roddick beats Baghdatis to reach last 16 in Rome

ROME, May 10 (Reuters) Andy Roddick came through a seesaw encounter with Cyprus's Marcos Baghdatis 3-6 6-1 6-2 to reach the last 16 of the Rome Masters today.

It was sweet revenge for the American fifth seed, who lost their only previous meeting in the fourth round of this year's Australian Open where Baghdatis reached the final.

Roddick made an erratic start to the match with a series of double faults and forehand errors to drop serve four times and lose the first set.

He steadied his game to win the second set and then seized control of the contest when Baghdatis put a backhand into the tramlines to drop serve and go 4-2 down in the decider.

As he served to stay in the match Baghdatis's nerve failed him, and three unforced errors and a double fault handed Roddick the win.

He next faces Britain's Greg Rusedski, who knocked out home favourite Stefano Galvani 7-6 6-4.

Reuters DH DB2124