ATHENS, Greece, Aug. 15 (UPI) -- Americans Andy Roddick and Venus Williams posted opening-round Olympic victories Sunday in the Games' first two Center Court matches.
The second-seeded Roddick had to work to defeat Brazilian Flavio Saretta, 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) victory.
"I was just a little bit tired," Roddick said. "I played a lot of big matches before coming to Athens."
After Roddick won the tiebreak, he pointed to a pair of American flags high in the upper deck.
Williams, the defending champion in both singles and doubles, had little trouble defeating Melinda Czink of Hungary, 6-1, 6-2.
After the match, Williams took several bows and signed autographs before leaving the court.
"I had so much fun at the last Olympics," she said. "Then to be here is amazing."
In other men's action, fourth-seeded Tim Henman of Britain lost to Czech Jiri Novak, 6-3, 6-3; and No. 11 Juan Ignacio Chela of Argentina was upset by Belarussian Max Mirnyi, 3-6, 7-6 (7-0), 6-4.
On the women's side, top-seeded Belgian Justine Henin-Hardenne opened her Olympic schedule with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Czech Barbora Strycova.
