 Roddick beat James Blake to win last year's Legg Mason |
Reigning champion Andy Roddick withdrew from the Legg Mason Classic on Monday because of an abdominal muscle strain he sustained last week in Los Angeles. The number two seed suffered the injury during his quarter-final victory over fellow American Scott Oudesma.
Roddick said: "When I first did it, it felt like someone stabbed me in the side. I knew I was in trouble."
Roddick, however, doubts that the injury will hamper his preparations for the US Open, which begins on 28 August.
Roddick's withdrawal stole the spotlight from Marat Safin, who battled to 6-3 7-6 first round win over Igor Kunitsyn.
Without a title this season, Safin blasted 10 aces past Kunitsyn.
In other first-round action, American qualifier Ryan Sweeting - ranked 663rd and playing in his first ATP level event - stormed to a 7-6 6-2 win over compatriot Justin Gimelstob.
American Kevin Kim breezed past compatriot Scott Oudsema 6-1 6-3 and will next face top seed and 2002 champion James Blake.
South Africa's Wesley Moodie and Germany's Denis Gremelmayr were also winners on the opening day.
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