With National Football League star Terrell “TO” Owens cheering him on from his player’s box, Andy Roddick advanced into the second round of the Australian Open Monday with a 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 win over Dutchmen Thiemo de Bakker.
Interviewed by ESPN’s Tom Rinaldi, Owens said he and Roddick became friends after first meeting at various parties at the Sony Ericsson Open in the past. The Buffalo Bills wide receiver said he decided to come to Australia “at the spur of the moment” after watching Roddick win the title in Brisbane two weeks ago on television. Both Roddick and Owens also follow each other on the social network Twitter.com and often exchange back-and-forth messages.
Roddick may be heading towards a third-round confrontation with fellow American Sam Querrey in the third round. Roddick is placed in the quarter of the draw with No. 4 seed Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina. Roddick and del Potro are placed in the bottom half of the draw that also features No. 2 seed Rafael Nadal and No. 5 seed Andy Murray. Roddick entered the first Grand Slam tournament of the year with a singles title in his pocket – the Brisbane International, won two weeks ago over Radek Stepanek in the final.
Following his interview with Rinaldi, Owens “tweeted” from his profile @terrellowens “Just went on live frm Hisense Arena w/espn analyst Tim Rinaldi! He had on a nice tie by the way! And Roddick is winning!”