Roddick survives late-night match

FLUSHING MEADOWS, N.Y., Aug. 30 (UPI) -- Former champion Andy Roddick rallied in a late-night effort Friday to down Ernests Gulbis and reach the third round of the U.S. Open.

The match lasted 90 minutes into Saturday morning, allowing Roddick to emerge with a victory on his 26th birthday.

Roddick prevailed 3-6, 7-5, 6-2, 7-5. He was down a break in the second set before beginning his comeback. His frustrations early in the match led to his breaking his racket by slamming it onto the court.

Much earlier in the day, four-time defending champion Roger Federer won his 29th consecutive match at the U.S. Open while reaching the tournament's third round.

Federer, seeded second behind Roger Nadal, dispatched Thiago Alves 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 in a closer-than-expected contest.

Fifth-seeded Nikolay Davydenko advanced with a 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 (7-2) win over Agustin Calleri. Davydenko is trying to reach the semifinals for the third straight year.

Dmitry Tursunov earned a third-round meeting with Davydenko by outlasting Victor Hanescu 6-7 (2-7), 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.

Other survivors in the second round of the men's draw included Fernando Gonzalez, Nicolas Almagro, Igor Andreev and Marin Cilic.

Cilic defeated Robby Ginepri, who reached the semifinals three years ago.