Roddick survives tumble, no worries about knee

American Andy Roddick breathed a sigh of relief after surviving a nasty fall following a collision with a line judge in the first round of the Australian Open at Melbourne Park yesterday.

The seventh seed bounced back to his feet after tripping over the line judge and tumbling to the ground in the first set of his match against Thiemo De Bakker of the Netherlands.

Roddick, who was forced out of last year's season-ending Tour Finals with a knee injury, went on to complete a 6-1 6-4 6-4 victory.

"I kind of pinched it (his knee) a little bit," said the American.

"I promise you that first step afterwards was a relief. It kind of jarred a little bit. But it's a good sign that I can kind of take that. You know, it didn't do too much to me."

Roddick had admonished the official to "move out of the way when you see a player coming" during the match and still appeared annoyed afterwards.

"He wasn't giving up any ground. I didn't see him. He wasn't really trying to do much to get out of the way," Roddick said.

"Normally they see a player running full speed, they decide to at least move or catch the player.

"You know, I felt like he was trying out for WWE (professional wrestling) or something, just letting me go."

Roddick was rarely troubled by his tall Dutch opponent during the match in Hisense Arena, which was interrupted by a 45-minute rain delay that forced them off court at 2-2 in the second set.

Officials closed the roof while tournament staff and ball boys and girls dried the court with towels.

"I thought I played the right way," Roddick said.

"I could have executed probably a little bit better at times. But overall I thought it was pretty good.

"You know, first rounds are always a little uncomfortable, especially at a slam. You're kind of built up, you're maybe a little bit over-anxious."