BEIJING: The 2008 winner Andy Roddick was sent packing in his opening match at the ATP-WTA China Open on Monday by South African Kevin Anderson, joining the eighth seed Alexandr Dolgopolov in making an early exit.

There was also the high-profile withdrawal of Gael Monfils with a knee injury, the ATP confirmed, saying he will also miss next week's Shanghai Masters.

The Frenchman, who lost in the Bangkok semi-finals at the weekend to Donald Young, was to have started as second seed in Beijing behind compatriot Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

Roddick, the sixth seed in the Chinese capital, was comprehensively beaten 4-6, 5-7 by Anderson, who blasted down his eighth ace for match point and triumphed on his second winning opportunity.

The loss was a huge blow to Roddick, whose sole title this season came in Memphis in February. The American had won both of his previous matches against Anderson, ranked 31st in the world. - http://www.channelnewsasia.com