Top seed and defending champion Andy Roddick made a successful return to action with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over qualifier Cecil Mamiit.

The American, who injured his wrist during the marathon Australian Open quarterfinal against Younes El Aynaoui, took just 53 minutes to get through his first round match. He now meets either Justin Gimelstob or Hyung-Taik Lee in the second round.

"The ultimate goal was to get through healthy, the second was to get a win any way you can," said Roddick. "Some points went really well today, some not so well. Overall I was serving well and hitting my forehand well, so whenever I do that, I can get through matches.

Since winning the title last year, Roddick went on to finish at No. 10 in the ATP Champions Race and reach the semifinals at a Grand Slam for the first time in his career at the Australian Open.

Class Act

"A lot has changed for me not just since I won the title here last year, but even since last year ended," said the American. "I've become better at the net. I've got a 135 mph serve so I'd be stupid not to follow that in. Overall I'm a better player than I was last year."

On a night when his fellow American Michael Chang said goodbye to Memphis, Roddick added. "He's led by example. He's a class act. He fought for every match and never had any excuses. That's pretty admirable."