Melbourne, Australia ? Andy Roddick overcame a shaky start against French wild-card Jo-Wilfred Tsonga in the first round of the Australian Open today, rallying from 2-5 in the second set to win, 6-7 (18), 7-6 (2), 6-3, 6-3.

The 2003 U.S. Open champion was constantly critical of chair umpire Carlos Ramos, calling the Portuguese official a “glorified scorekeeper” after a call that gave Tsonga a set point at 11-10 in the first tiebreaker. Roddick, who wasted four set points in the tiebreaker, thought one of Tsonga’s balls was three inches over the baseline.

Video replays are in use on Rod Laver Arena, the center court at Melbourne Park, for the first time at the Australian Open, but not on any other courts. The sixth-seeded Roddick was playing on the second showcourt, so he could not ask for a replay.

“I think I got a little first-round jitters,” Roddick said. “I played better as the match went on. I hope I can get better in the second round.”

The American star said at times he was scared in the first set against the 21-year-old Tsonga, who was playing only his sixth match in a top-level ATP event.

“Absolutely, to say the least. I was wondering if we were ever going to finish the tiebreaker.”

Earlier, Amelie Mauresmo opened her title with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Shenay Perry in the first match on center court. Apart from dropping serve in the third game and again when serving for the match at 5-2, the second-seeded Maursemo was in control as she returned to the scene of her biggest breakthrough victory.

Mauresmo beat Justine Henin-Hardenne in the final last year to claim her first Grand Slam title, seven years after losing in her only other trip to the final of a major. Mauresmo also won the Wimbledon title last summer and spent most of the season at No. 1. Mauresmo said she felt under no extra pressure as defending champion.

“It was good. I felt pretty happy to go on the court and to play first and to be able to, right from the first day, go on court and defend a title,” Mauresmo said. “I think once you’ve tasted what it is to win the big ones, you really want to feel that again.”

Perry, a 22-year-old American who finished 2006 at No. 43 in the rankings, let Mauresmo off the hook with 21 unforced errors. Serving for the match a second time, Mauresmo held at love, closing with a powerful forehand cross.