Lleyton Hewitt has been gifted a spot in the third round of the Australian Open after Andy Roddick was forced to withdraw due to a groin injury.

The pair were evenly matched in the initial stages of the second-round contest in Melbourne, with the first set going by the way of serve. However, it didn't take long for Roddick's famous power shots to give him a one-set lead in the Rod Laver Arena.

Despite the American's positive start Hewitt managed to find his feet and claim his first break of serve in the match, which prevented his 29-year-old opponent from increasing the pressure.

Roddick continued to waver, which allowed his Australian opponent to capitalise and enforce a challenge by claiming the second set and drawing level in the match.

Hewitt managed to clinch the third set and looked likely to take the match as Roddick struggled with injury, which caused him to withdraw from the contest.