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 World No. 6 Andy Roddick defeated Czech qualifier Ivo Minar 7-6(4), 6-4 on Monday in Miami to secure his place in the Sony Ericsson Open fourth round.
Playing in front of Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Brooklyn Decker, whom Roddick publicly announced he was engaged to earlier in the day, the American pulled through in the first set tie-break and then took the early break in the second set.
Minar, the last qualifier remaining in the draw, converted on his one break chance opportunity to level the set score at 4-all, but Roddick broke right back and then proceeded to close out the win in one hour and 39 minutes. (Watch ATP Masters Series TV: Roddick interview)
"I feel good," said Roddick "I still feel like I could probably hit the ball a little bit better, but it was pretty windy out there and the conditions weren't easy.
"Whenever you play someone who's won I think five matches in seven or eight days, including qualies, he's got to be hitting the ball well.... So I knew it was going to be tough. He plays pretty high risk, and a lot of times there's not a lot you can do besides let him take his swings and hope eventually he might punch himself out."
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Roddick, who won the Miami title in 2004, will look to reach the quarterfinals for the fourth time at this event - also for the third straight year - when he faces Frenchman Julien Benneteau on Tuesday. Roddick leads the career series 2-1, but lost their last match in 2006 at Memphis.
World No. 11 Mikhail Youzhny outperformed Spanish No. 24 seed Nicolas Almagro in the tie-breaks to clinch the 7-6(4), 3-6, 7-6(6) win in two hours and 43 minutes, despite dropping serve six times and giving Almagro 23 break point chances. The Russian enjoyed a strong start to the season, including the title win in Chennai and quarterfinals at the Australian Open and Marseille, but had won just one match in his last three tournament appearances coming into Miami. Youzhny will attempt to avenge his loss to Serb Janko Tipsarevic earlier this year in Rotterdam when the two face off in the fourth round. Tipsarevic saved all five break points he faced to defeat Swede Thomas Johansson, 6-4, 6-4 and advance to the fourth round at an ATP Masters Series event for the first time in his career.
Monday: Federer Joins Davydenko in Fourth Round
Sunday: Nadal Returns to 4th Rd.; Canas, Mathieu, Andreev Advance
Sunday: Blake Outlasts Santoro; Berdych Advances Easily
Saturday: Federer, Roddick Win Openers; Murray, Hewitt Fall
Saturday: Tsonga Wins in Miami Debut; Seed Exodus Continues
Friday: Qualifier Anderson Upsets Defending Champ Djokovic
Friday: Nadal Advances to Third Round
Thursday: Monfils Rallies to Defeat Isner
Thursday: Reynolds Upsets Safin; Russian Struggles Continue
Wednesday: Querrey Advances Along With Teenagers Cilic, del Potro
Wednesday: Fans Favorite Kuerten Falls in Opener
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