Wimbledon 2009: Andy Roddick labours to victory against Russian Igor Kunitsyn

The world No 6 makes hard work of the four-set match against Igor Kunitsyn, the Russian ranked 36 places below him.

Andy Roddick 6-4, 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 win now sets up a third round tie against Germany’s Jurgen Melzer.

After a series of missed opportunities losing him easy points, the American looked a shadow of the player who earlier this year reached the semi-finals of the Australian Open.

Having wasted two break points in the fifth game of the opening set, Roddick seized his third opportunity to pull away, and despite a credible effort from Kunitsyn, the two-time finalist won the first 6-4.

His form continued into the second set which rapidly became a case of ‘blink and you miss it’. His aggressive game in full flow, Roddick’s serve was flying over the net at an average of 123mph, and together with the power of his backhand, he was 3-0 inside 13 minutes.

In an attempt to stave off a whitewash, Kunitsyn won his next two service games, but a series of over hit returns saw the Russian go two sets down.

The third set brought a Russian revolution, and after both players had won their opening service games, Kunitsyn launched his fight back storming to a 5-3 lead. In control, he broke Roddick’s serve to win the set.

Whatever it was Roddick mumbled to himself in the break between sets had the right effect and, having won the first game of the fourth set, the American went on to win the longest game of the match to break serve.

The aggression Roddick showed in the opening two sets was back, and a series of long returns and unforced errors on Kunitsyn’s behalf saw the Queen’s semi-finalist finish the match in some style, breaking his opponents serve for the fifth time of the afternoon.

Aware he had lost his way, Roddick said: "I feel I had him up against it in third set but didn't take my chances. I could have been a little more aggressive."

Roddick now faces Melzer for a place in the last sixteen. The 26-year-old goes into the match with an 8-0 record over the German, but the pair are yet to meet on grass.