Roddick sizzles as temperatures climb at Aussie

MELBOURNE, Australia – Andy Roddick had 17 aces in a 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 win over French qualifier Julien Benneteau today, hustling through the third round as temperatures started rising at the Australian Open.

The 23-year-old American, seeded second, won 17 of the first 18 points against Benneteau, hitting five aces in his first two service games and racing to a 5-0 lead.

“I’m just trying to be aggressive,” Roddick said.

Maria Sharapova also didn’t waste time in the heat, routing Jelena Kostanic 6-0, 6-1 and setting up a possible showdown with Serena Williams.

Three other Russian women advanced. No. 6 Nadia Petrova and 2004 U.S. Open winner Svetlana Kuznetsova had straight-set wins over Italians Maria Elena Camerin and Mara Santangelo, respectively.

In later matches, top-ranked Lindsay Davenport faced Maria Kirilenko, and French Open champion Justine Henin-Hardenne was playing Virginie Razzano.

On the men’s side, No. 4 David Nalbandian, the Masters Cup champion, was to play Finland’s Jarkko Nieminen.

No. 11 David Ferrer beat No. 18 Mario Ancic 6-3, 6-3, 6-3, and Fabrice Santoro overcame No. 8 Gaston Gaudio 6-3, 6-2, 5-7, 1-6, 6-4.

Third-seeded Lleyton Hewitt was upset 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (8), 6-2 by Argentine Juan Ignacio Chela on Thursday night, so the draw has opened up for Roddick and top-ranked Roger Federer, who is on the other half.

Thursday losses by No. 5 Mary Pierce and No. 21 Ava Ivanovic mean that Martina Hingis, making an impressive comeback, has no seeded players in her part of the draw until the quarterfinals, when she could face Kim Clijsters.