Champion Roddick survives, Murray falls

LONDON, June 14 (Reuters) Champion Andy Roddick's bid for an unprecedented fourth successive Stella Artois Championships title got off to a stuttering start with a 2-6 6-4 6-3 win over Canadian qualifier Frank Dancevic today.

Briton Andy Murray was, however, caught cold when he was beaten 7-6 3-6 6-2 by unheralded Serbian Janko Tipsarevic in his rain-interrupted first-round match on a blustery and overcast day at Queen's Club.

Roddick, whose only defeats on grass over the past two years have been to Roger Federer in the 2004 and 2005 Wimbledon finals, initially came unstuck against an opponent who hones his trade on the lower Challenger circuit and is ranked 127th.

Dancevic could barely believe his luck when he broke the world number five for a second time to bag the first set in just 20 minutes with a backhand service return winner.

Roddick was not in a mood to relinquish his crown without a fight and came back strongly to seal the second-round match when Dancevic dragged the ball long.

The 45th-ranked Murray had been poised to level the match at one set all when persistent showers halted proceedings on Tuesday.

WHACKED NET On resumption, he held serve to win the second set but a refreshed Tipsarevic was quick to pounce in the decider.

The bearded Serbian, ranked 69 spots below his opponent, raced to a 3-0 lead and punished Murray with his more aggressive approach.

While a frustrated Murray repeatedly muttered, shrieked and whacked the net with his racket, Tipsarevic kept his focus to snare victory with a scorching forehand winner.

''I didn't deal with the conditions very well,'' Murray told reporters.

''He didn't make too many mistakes and I was the one who missed everything.'' The Scot's exit left Tim Henman as the sole British survivorin the tournament.

With rain having wiped out all but six matches on Tuesday, organisers hope to fit in 20 singles matches on the third day of the event.

Former Wimbledon runner-up Mark Philippoussis and French 11th seed Sebastien Grosjean won their opening matches on Wednesday and will be back on court again later to face each other in the second-round.

Also in action are three-times former champion Lleyton Hewitt, French Open winner Rafael Nadal and Henman.

REUTERS PM ND1852