Roddick turns 24 in style

NEW YORK – Clearly, this was a much happier birthday for Andy Roddick.

A year after bowing out in U.S. Open’s first round on the day he turned 23, Roddick celebrated turning 24 on Wednesday by reaching the tournament’s third round.

The 2003 U.S. Open champion, seeded ninth this time, beat Kristian Pless of Denmark 6-3, 7-6 (3), 6-3. It was the day’s only second-round match.

“I hope I’m going to give you guys something better to cheer about this tournament,” Roddick told the crowd. “Going home in the first round is not fun, I know that.”

With new coach Jimmy Connors watching in the stands, Roddick dominated with his serve, clocking 140 mph, totaling 21 aces and one double-fault. Roddick faced only two break points and saved both, including one with a serve-and-volley net rush.

Roddick-Pless was the last match of the night in Arthur Ashe Stadium, following Maria Sharapova’s straight-sets victory over Michaella Krajicek.

Sharapova and Roddick have been the subject of romantic speculation, and she was asked whether she bought him a birthday gift.

“Is it his birthday? I had no idea,” she responded. “I really don’t talk about my personal life. And when two tennis players know each other and are friends, and are known around the world, people are going to talk. That’s exactly what’s happening.”

At the 2005 U.S. Open, Roddick also played at night on his birthday, but was knocked out in three tiebreakers by Gilles Muller, the first man from Luxembourg to compete in the tournament.