Roddick and Hewitt slide out of top 10

SINGAPORE, July 10 (Reuters) Former world number one Andy Roddick slid out of the world's top 10 today for the first time since 2002.

The American, who was beaten by Britain's Andy Murray in the third round of Wimbledon a week ago, fell six places to 11th in the latest list published by men's tennis organisers the ATP.

Not since he was ranked 12th the week of Oct. 28th 2002 had Roddick strayed outside the world's top 10 until Monday.

Runner-up at Wimbledon in 2004 and 2005, Roddick lost a punishing number of rankings points with his third-round loss this year.

The 23-year-old hit the top of the rankings in November 2003 and spent nine weeks as number one.

Another former world number one Lleyton Hewitt also fell out of the top 10, slipping three spots to 12.

The top four -- Wimbledon champion Roger Federer, runner-up Rafael Nadal, David Nalbandian and Ivan Ljubicic -- all remained unmoved.

Roddick and Hewitt's places in the top 10 were taken by Marcos Baghdatis and Radek Stepanek.

Cypriot semi-finalist Baghdatis jumped six places to number 10 while Czech quarter-finalist Stepanek vaulted five to number eight.

REUTERS PM PM0938