Roddick books return visit to Nottingham

The American player Andy Roddick has announced he will again use the Samsung Open at Nottingham as a warm-up for Wimbledon.

Last year the highly rated 19-year-old from Nebraska reached the semi-finals in Nottingham before being beaten by Israel's Harel Levy in three sets. Roddick reached the third round at Wimbledon and was then knocked out by the eventual winner, Goran Ivanisevic.

"It is tremendous news that someone of Andy's calibre has given an early commitment to compete in the Samsung Open," said the tournament director, Patrick Hughesman. "Not only is he fast becoming one of the major stars of international tennis but he won many hearts in Nottingham last year and his return will be eagerly anticipated. We hope to announce the participation of further big names in the near future."

The top seed, Jelena Dokic, had little trouble on the first day of the Sarasota Open in Florida as she cruised to a straight- sets win against Conchita Martinez of Spain. The 18-year-old Yugoslav always had the upper hand against the former Wimbledon champion, eventually securing victory 6-2, 7-5.

But the most impressive performance came from the Swiss player Patty Schnyder, ranked No 42 in the world, who thrashed Lilia Osterloh, of the United States 6-0, 6-1.

It was tougher going for Daja Bedanova, of the Czech Republic, who had to see off a brave fightback before overcoming the Colombian Fabiola Zuluaga 6-4, 2-6, 6-2. The German Marlene Weingartner proved too strong for Rossana de los Rios, of Paraguay, as she recorded a 6-3, 6-2 victory. The other first-round match also ended in a straight-sets win, the Slovak Henrieta Nagyova beating Els Callens, of Belgium, 7-5, 6-4.