Safin advances in Washington, Roddick withdraws

WASHINGTON, Aug 1 (Reuters) Andy Roddick's withdrawal from the Legg Mason Tennis Classic stole the spotlight from former-world number one Marat Safin, who battled to 6-3 7-6 first round win over Igor Kunitsyn.

Roddick was forced out of the hardcourt event with the strained lower back he injured at the Los Angeles Open last week, but the American is confident of being back to full strength for the U.S.

Open at the end of August.

Safin, a former-US Open champion, needed 81 minutes and an 8-6 tie-break win to dispose of Kunitsyn in an all-Russian first round clash yesterday.

Without a title this season, Safin displayed some of his old power, blasting 10 aces past Kunitsyn to push his match record for the season to 14-13.

In other first round action, American qualifier Ryan Sweeting, ranked 663rd and playing in his first ATP-level event, showed few signs of nerves in posting a 7-6 6-2 upset win over countryman Justin Gimelstob.

South Africa's Wesley Moodie rallied past American wild card Sam Querrey 2-6 7-6 7-6 in a two hour, 16 minute marathon, while Germany's Denis Gremelmayr brushed past Moodie's compatriot Wesley Whitehouse, 6-2 6-2.

American Kevin Kim breezed past compatriot Scott Oudsema 6-1 6-3 and will next face top seed and 2002 champion James Blake.

REUTERS PM PM1113