Roddick, Dolgopolov Beaten; Cilic Too Strong

© Getty ImagesAndy Roddick won the 2008 Beijing title and drops to 4-2 at the tournament.

South African Kevin Anderson beat sixth-seeded American and 2008 titlist Andy Roddick 6-4, 7-5 on Monday in the first round of the China Open.

The 25-year-old Anderson, enjoying a career-best year with a 34-21 record, recorded his 25th hard-court match win this season with victory in one hour and 43 minutes. Anderson served for the match a 5-4, but was broken to 15 before breaking Roddick's serve in the next game. He won 69 per cent of his service points and hit eight aces past World No. 15 Roddick, who had beaten Anderson at this year's Brisbane International and AEGON Championships.

"I didn't serve very well," said Roddick. "I had lots of break points in the first set. I broke twice in the second set. If I break twice and don't win a set, that says my serve isn't holding up."

Italian qualifier Flavio Cipolla, currently No. 95 in the South African Airways 2011 ATP Rankings, knocked out eighth-seeded Ukrainian Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-1, 1-6, 6-0 in one hour and 36 minutes. Dolgopolov, who had beaten Cipolla over five sets at this year's US Open, hit seven double faults and won 53 per cent of his service points. The World No. 19 drops to a 34-24 match record on the season.

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Earlier in the day, World No. 25 Marin Cilic had too much firepower for China’s Di Wu, defeating the wild card entrant 6-2, 6-0 in 55 minutes. The Croat converted six of his nine break point chances and dropped just nine points on serve to record his 35th win of the season. The 23-year-old Cilic, a two-time finalist on the ATP World Tour this year, is making his fourth appearance at this ATP World Tour 500 hard-court tennis tournament, highlighted by reaching the final in 2009 (l. to Djokovic).

"I feel that my form is rising since July and I had some really good tournaments and good wins against top players," said Cilic. "So I'm feeling confident. And also here today I played well, so I just look forward for my next match. It won't be easy, but I hope I'm going to be 100 per cent ready."

A pair of left-handed Spaniards also advanced. Feliciano Lopez defeated Turkish qualifier Marsel Ilhan 6-2, 7-6(6) in one hour and 38 minutes, while Fernando Verdasco dropped just six points on serve in a 6-2, 6-4 dismissal of Frenchman Michael Llodra.