A-Rod gifted third-round spot

Former champion Andy Roddick suffered a first-set setback on his 25th birthday but still eased into the US Open third round when Argentina's Jose Acasuso limped out of their match in New York.

Fifth seed Roddick, who claimed the title back in 2003, remained on course to meet defending champion Roger Federer in the quarter-finals after Acasuso retired with a knee injury.

Although Acasuso claimed the first set 6-4, Roddick quickly reeled off the next two 6-1 6-2.

"I don't think you like winning matches like that," said Roddick, who will next face Sweden's Thomas Johansson. "But at the end of the day, your goal is to get through and give yourself a chance to play in the third round."

Nikolay Davydenko overcame Germany's Nicolas Kiefer 6-2 6-2 6-2 to set up a third-round showdown with 28th seed Nicolas Almagro of Spain.

American teenager Donald Young is also through to the third round following the withdrawal of 13th seed Richard Gasquet.

Wild card Young's next opponent is Feliciano Lopez.

Ninth seed Tomas Berdych completed a straightforward 7-5 6-3 6-3 victory over Italy's Simone Bolelli, while Tommy Haas defeated fellow German Philipp Petzschner 4-6 6-3 6-2 7-5.

Guillermo Canas, the 14th seed, was not so fortunate, losing 7-5 7-5 6-3 to Korean veteran Hyung-Taik Lee.

Lee's reward is a third-round clash with British number one Andy Murray.