Tennis: Pavel stuns Roddick

SAN DIEGO - Andrei Pavel rallied from two sets down to beat world number three Andy Roddick 6-7 2-6 7-6 6-2 6-4 to give Romania a shock 1-0 lead over the United States in their Davis Cup World Group first-round tie.

"I gave it all and risked it all," Pavel told reporters. "It's a happy day for us." The 32-year-old Romanian saved a match point in the third set tiebreak with a brilliant top-spin lob.

Roddick then struggled badly after losing the tiebreak 10-8. He was treated for an injury to his right wrist early in the fourth set and was physically sick on court at the next changeover.

The American, suffering with a stomach ailment, was sick again after the first game of the fifth set and frequently doubled over in pain after rallies.

Trailing 5-1 in the fifth, Roddick made a desperate late bid to fight back, hitting aces and firing winners from all over the court to make the score 4-5.

But Pavel played aggressively in the final game and won on his third match point after forcing Roddick into a backhand error.

American James Blake faces Victor Hanescu in the second next.

- REUTERS