Ankle injury sidelines Roddick

Fans boo U.S. netter for retiring in French Open loss

? Andy Roddick never really stood a chance at the 2006 French Open tennis tournament.

He quit Tuesday because of an ankle injury while trailing Alberto Martin of Spain 6-4, 7-5, 1-0 in the first round at Roland Garros, and the fifth-seeded American hobbled off the court to a chorus of full-throated boos and whistles.

His exit, combined with that of No. 17 Robby Ginepri, left the United States with only two men in the second round at the French Open for just the second time since 1967. It also happened two years ago; in 2005, a trio of Americans made it that far.

Andy Roddick of the U.S. holds his injured ankle while resting during his match against Spain's Alberto Martin on Tuesday at the French Open. Roddick retired while trailing, 6-4, 7-5, 1-0.

“It’s like ‘Groundhog Day,”‘ Roddick said. “Whatever I said last year, just copy it. Whatever I said last year, I’m sure it still fits.”

For the record, Roddick’s assessment in 2005: “We all have a lot of pride, and it has gotten taken down a lot in the last couple of years here.”

Roddick sprained ligaments in his left ankle last week. He tweaked it in the eighth game against Martin, who’s ranked 68th and entered 0-4 versus Roddick.

“I was definitely tentative sliding around out there,” Roddick said. “It started affecting the way I landed on my serve.”

Martina Hingis defeated Lisa Raymond 6-2, 6-2. The 25-year-old Hingis went into retirement for three years because of foot injuries, but she’s already established herself as a contender for major titles since returning to the circuit in January.

No. 3 Nadia Petrova was defeated 6-2, 6-2 by Akiko Morigami of Japan, and No. 23 Tatiana Golovin lost, too. Two-time champion Justine Henin-Hardenne and 2004 champion Anastasia Myskina won in straight sets.