4 Jan 2011

Roddick starts defence with success in Brisbane

10:29 am on 4 January 2011

American drawcard Andy Roddick has started his Brisbane International tennis title defence in style by outclassing Australian wildcard Marinko Matosevic.

Roddick took just 72 minutes to dispose of Australia's third highest-ranked player 6-3 6-2 at Pat Rafter Arena.

Croatian-born Matosevic, who won the Australian Open wildcard playoff last month, hasn't been disgraced, putting the heat on the world No.8 in the first half of the first set.

Matosevic, who has built his ranking up to 138th in the world through challenger tournaments, displayed good composure and produced strong groundstrokes but wilted as he attempted to push Roddick in the second set.