Roddick, Blake put on show at Memphis

Number 1 seeded Andy Roddick did not like the draw he was given at the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships.  His first round opponent was his old friend James Blake.  Blake, who has had a career high ranking of No. 4 in the world, is trying to revive his career in 2010.  The two have met 9 times, with Roddick winning 6.  The problem for Roddick, though, is that Blake has won the last 3.

True to it’s headline billing, the match went to a 3rd set tiebreak, delighting the over-capacity crowd at the Racquet Club of Memphis.  Roddick eventually won the tiebreak, and the match against the relentless Blake.

Also playing his opening match was No. 8 Sam Querrey, who defeated fellow American Rajeev Ram in straight sets.

In second round action, No. 3 Radek Stepanek was upset by Ernests Gulbis, and No. 6 John Isner had to fight from behind to overcome Jarkko Nieminen.

The women’s draw provided plenty of action, as both Maria Sharapova and Melanie Oudin saw action on this blockbuster day.  Sharapova, the No. 1 seed, had little trouble with Bethanie Mattek-Sands in the evening finale.  Oudin also wasted little time dispatching her opponent, Lilia Osterloh.

An over-capacity crowd of 5,379 attended today’s matches.