Emerging rivals Andy Roddick and Andy Murray both play their opening-round matches in Memphis Wednesday in a blockbuster night session. Roddick, the 2002 tournament winner, faces a testing assignment against 2002 Australian Open champion Thomas Johansson. Murray, who successfully defended his debut title in San Jose last week, will play Canadian Frank Dancevic.

Roddick, who lost to Murray in the San Jose semifinals last week, said that he expected to be better adjusted to the indoor hard courts this week at The Racquet Club than he was at the SAP Open. "I got through some matches but it's a tough transition (from the clay of Davis Cup in the Czech Republic). With the travel and surface I felt like I was trying to survive the whole week and I only lasted so long. I hope to find my game this week and I should be a little better.

"I like playing here in Memphis. Playing at the club is a more intimate atmosphere than a huge arena and you feel the crowd more. The club is a defining charactersitic of the tournament."

On Monday fellow American Mardy Fish continued his encouraging start to the 2007 season with a 6-3, 6-2 win over German Bjorn Phau. Fish, seeded fourth, was a quarterfinalist at the Australian Open. "This is the best tennis I've ever played and hopefully I can keep it going. My confidence is high. I'm in unfamiliar territory, getting my 10th win in February instead of June." Indeed last year Fish had to wait till Wimbledon to take his match wins into double figures.

Defending champion Tommy Haas won all 20 points on his first serve during a 6-4, 6-1 victory over Vincent Spadea in the feature night match. The German former World No. 2 did not face a break point while breaking Spadea four times. Haas next meets American Amer Delic, who defeated countryman Paul Goldstein 7-5, 7-6(0).