Andy Roddick battles through in Cincinnati

Struggling Andy Roddick lost his temper but recovered to beat world No46 Sergiy Stakhovsky 6-4, 6-7, 6-1 in the Cincinnati Masters.

The American threw his racket to the ground in frustration after blowing a 5-2 lead in the second set tie-breaker and committing an unforced error on set point against the Ukrainian.

Roddick regained his composure and raced to 5-0 lead in the deciding set before closing out the first-round match with a forehand winner.

"I don't feel perfect but good enough," said the world No13. "That third set was actually a blessing in disguise. That's the best I've played in months."

The 27-year-old missed last week's Rogers Cup in Toronto through illness, having complained of feeling lethargic in the previous event in Washington.