Roddick celebrates birthday with straight-sets win

NEW YORK, Aug 31 (Reuters) Former champion Andy Roddick celebrated his 24th birthday by overpowering Dane Kristian Pless to close out play last night to move into the third round of the US Open.

The ninth-seeded Roddick never lost serve in beating the 25-year-old Pless, a former world number one junior player, 6-3 7-6 6-3.

The big-serving American, revitalised since taking on five-times US Open champion Jimmy Connors as his coach this summer, served up 21 aces and blistered 40 winners in the 91-minute match.

Roddick, the 2003 winner, will meet either 22nd seed Fernando Verdasco of Spain or qualifier Thiago Alves of Brazil in the third round.

REUTERS PM BS0909