Roddick is on the comeback trail after a hamstring injury

Roddick was playing for the first time since March when a hamstring injury forced him to retire in Miami.

World number two Rafael Nadal extended his winning streak on clay to 73 games with a 6-4 6-2 win over Italian wildcard Daniele Bracciali.

He faces Mikhail Youzhny next, who has already beaten him once this year.

Nadal, who is seeking a third straight title in Rome, revealed he struggled to find his rhythm in the opening set because he felt a little off colour.

"I felt a bit dizzy, and it was difficult for the first eight games, but after that it was fine," said Nadal.

"The doctor said it wasn't anything. I think it's OK."

After Hamburg and Roland Garros, I'll decide whether I'm going to continue Gaston Gaudio

Russian Youzhny, who defeated Nadal in Dubai, saw off Olivier Rochus 7-6 6-3.

Nadal said of his looming tie with Youzhny: "He's one of the more difficult players for me. I must focus on me, play my best tennis."

Fifth seed Novak Djokovic beat Robin Soderling 3-6 6-4 6-3, while Filippo Volandri upset Richard Gasquet.

The Italian delighted his home crowd with a 6-4 6-7 (5-7) 6-4 win over the Frenchman, seeded 13, while sixth seed Fernando Gonzalez hammered Dmitry Tursunov 6-2 6-1.

Roddick is no lover of clay but reached the quarter-finals in Rome last year and was up against a man struggling desperately for form in Gaudio.

Roddick took just 28 minutes to win the first set but Gaudio saved four match points in the second before having a chance to win the set himself at 8-7.

However, Roddick hit a trademark ace and Gaudio then double-faulted to give the American a fifth match point, taken on a volley.

"I was thankful to get through in two," said Roddick. "To win a third set might have been a tall task."

The 28-year-old Gaudio said afterwards that he is considering retirement.