Roddick maintains momentum

The defending champion eased into the second round of the US Clay Court Championships in Houston.

Defending champion and top seed Andy Roddick eased into the second round of the US Clay Court Championships in Houston, with a straightforward 6-3 6-2 win over Paul Capdeville of Chile.

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Second seeded American James Blake, however, made an early exit, beaten 7-6 (7-2) 3-6 6-1 by Frenchman Antony Dupuis.

Eighth-seeded Juan Monaco of Argentina was also among the early casualties falling 6-2 1-6 7-6 (7-5) to American wild card Mardy Fish.

Roddick, who helped lead the US past Chile in the Davis Cup quarter-final in California at the weekend, needed just 58 minutes to dispose of Capdeville yesterday and remain on course for a sixth consecutive appearance in the US Clay Court final and a fourth title success.

The former world number one arrived in Houston still searching for his first title of the season.

In other first-round action, Vince Spadea of the US advanced with 6-1 6-3 decision over Argentine Carlos Berlocq while Scoville Jenkins stopped Russian qualifier Igor Kunitsyn 7-5 2-6 6-3.