Ailing Roddick exits, Federer advances in Miami

Miami: Defending champion Andy Roddick made a shock early exit from the Sony Ericsson Open on Saturday, suffering a second round loss to Uruguayan Pablo Cuevas 6-4 7-6.

The world number eight, struggled physically and needing medical treatment during the second set, said that he was likely suffering from a lingering bronchial infection. "I had a little trouble breathing out there today. I`ve had something for a little while but I`m going to have it checked out when I get home," the American told reporters. Roddick was broken in the seventh game as 67th-ranked Cuevas took charge and although he battled on in a tight second set he looked sluggish and bowed out in the tiebreak with consecutive forehand errors. "I`m just frustrated. You don`t like going out there with less than what you have got and I feel like I have been doing that a lot," he said. "It`s not like I`m super mad because I had chances or lost or didn`t play. It`s just frustrating." The win was the first for Cuevas against a top 10 ranked player and left the tournament without another drawcard after Britain`s Andy Murray was defeated by US qualifier Alex Bogomolov on Friday. Third seed Roger Federer had no problems, enjoying a routine 6-3 6-3 win over Czech Radek Stepanek earlier Saturday. The victory took Federer alongside Pete Sampras with 762 career wins, equal seventh overall. Jimmy Connors tops the list with 1,241 wins. "It`s a funny stat," said the Swiss. "But it shows how long I have been around already, how much I`ve won all around the world and on all the different surfaces." Federer, seeking his third Miami title, was ruthless, converting all three of his break point chances. Bureau Report