New York, August 31:

Luxembourg’s Gilles Muller stunned former champion Andy Roddick here on Tuesday, sending the fourth-seeded American packing 7-6, 7-6, 7-6 in the first round of the US Open. Muller spoiled what should have been Roddick’s 23rd birthday celebrations on the Arthur Ashe Stadium court with a display of poise and precision that left Roddick frustrated at every turn.

World No 1 Roger Federer took his first step toward in his title defence with a 6-1, 6-1, 6-1 victory over Czech Ivo Minar.

American Lindsay Davenport opened with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over China’s Li Na. Third seed Amelie Mauresmo advanced bea-ting Italian Roberta Vinci 6-3, 6-2. Justine Henin-Hardenne routed Czech Zuzana Ondraskova 6-3, 6-0 in 58 minutes and Russian Elena Dementieva advanced with a 7-5, 6-3 win over Czech Lucie Safarova.

In men’s action, 18-year-old Andrew Murray gutted out a 6-3, 3-6, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 victory over Romanian Andrei Pavel to keep the British flag flying after the departure of Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski.