Mason, August 16:

Roger Federer and Andy Roddick overcame minor worries and moved on at the Cincinnati Masters. Andre Agassi dropped out and headed home with a lot on his mind. Federer worked off the rust from a five-week layoff caused by a sore foot, and Roddick compensated for an undependable serve during their first-round wins. Agassi came and went without lifting a racket. The 35-year-old defending champion because a chronic back problem flared up. During the first set of a 7-6, 7-5 win over James Blake, Federer set up for a routine backhand and barely touc-hed the ball, which skittered off the tip of his racket. Federer didn’t get into the flow until the first-set tie-breaker. Blake wasted three break points in the eighth game, allowing Federer to keep pace. Federer then broke him to go up 6-5, and served it out.

Roddick struggled with his serve, but posted a 6-3, 6-4 win over Jurgen Melzer.