Roddick sees off Safin in first heavyweight clash

MELBOURNE, Jan 19 (Reuters) Sixth seed Andy Roddick outgunned former champion Marat Safin 7-6 2-6 6-4 7-6 in the first heavyweight clash of the Australian Open today.

Roddick took control of the third-round match when he stormed through the first-set tiebreak 7-2 and although Safin hit back to level in a second set featuring four breaks of serve, the American kept his composure.

He made a late break in the third set and dominated the fourth-set tiebreak, sealing it 7-2 on his first match point to wrap up victory in three hours and 12 minutes.

Safin, the 2005 champion, received treatment for a cut finger during the third set and the 26th seed was handed a warning after complaining that the court was too wet to play on.

Roddick will play ninth seed Mario Ancic of Croatia in the last 16.

REUTERS SAM RN1803