Good afternoon and welcome to LIVE coverage of Andy Roddick against Julien Benneteau in the second round of the Paris Masters.

GAME, SET AND MATCH RODDICK! Solid performance from Roddick as he punches away a backhand volley at the net to seal the deal. Benneteau fought gamely, but made too many basic errors to trouble the American player. Decent outing for A-Rod, who could face Andy Murray in the third round providing he overcomes Jeremy Chardy.

Benneteau conjures up a marvellous winner at the outset of that game, but Roddick will not be denied as he moves up to nine aces. Needs one more game to clinch the match. Benneteau serves to stay alive.

A better effort from Benneteau to hold serve in that game. Benneteau ranked at 54 in the world, but has been as high as 32 in the world. Continues to scamper around the court as he levels at 4-4 in this second set. Benneteau with four aces in the match.

Just 80 seconds for Roddick to hold to love in moving 4-3 clear. Roddick trying to gee himself up to get out of this match with the win. Hasn't been a vintage effort, but is ahead by the odd game in seven on serve.

BREAK TO RODDICK! Super response from Roddick to break back in this set. Moved Benneteau all over the court before converting a winning volley at the net with the French player out of position. Suddenly the pendulum of the match swings back.

Roddick looking far from happy with his game out there, but he produces the goods to close to within one game of Benneteau to trail by the odd game in five. Benneteau to serve for a 4-2 lead with the break.

Benneteau brings up three game points for a 3-1 lead. Roddick saves the first one when he bludgeons a forehand winner down the line, but he is powerless to prevent his opponent from moving two games clear seconds later. Benneteau with the break in this set.

A better service game from Roddick there. More like the old A-Rod. Moving well and throwing himself at the ball on the forehand side to come up with a vital hold. Can't afford to lose touch with a Benneteau who is suddenly look quite a handful.

Benneteau staves off one break point, and moves to advantage with a thumping ace. Benneteau blowing hot and cold, but he is a dangerous opponent when the ball is flying in. Work to be done by Roddick after the blow of dropping serve in the opening game of the set.

BREAK TO BENNETEAU! A storming response by the French player at the outset of this second set to break Roddick. Hitting the ball well, and reading the Roddick serve to gain the upper hand early on.

SET TO RODDICK! Not classic play by either man, but he toughs it out to break for a second time in the set and claim the lead with a lovely winning forehand on the run. Roddick in the box seat in this match. Looks to be hitting the ball slightly better than his opponent.

BREAK TO BENNETEAU! Roddick saves one of two break points, but his opponent will not be denied as he thumps a return down the line for a winner on the home hope's second serve. Really impressive play by Roddick. Hitting the ball with some pace, and is suddenly right back in this match.

A big winning forehand for Benneteau from 30-30 brings up game point before a thumping first serve is knocked long by Roddick, who will serve for the first set holding the break.

A seventh ace from Roddick rounds off that game in the American's favour. Looking very good here for the first set. Timing the ball well, and serving with some authority. Work to be done by Julien Benneteau, who comes out to serve to stay in the first set.

BREAK TO RODDICK! Benneteau beginning to misfire under the pressure of Roddick groundstrokes. Falls three breaks down in the game. Saves the first one with an ace, but a poor backhand that hits the net hands Roddick the first break of the match. Chance for the 13th seed to kick on from here to pocket the first set.

Roddick taken to deuce on his own service game, but escapes with a couple of booming serves that deny Benneteau the chance of a first break. Roddick now up to five aces in this match. Making decent progress.

Benneteau plays a poor attempt at a drop shot on deuce as Roddick races in to convert the winner up the line. The French player saves the break with a big forehand and a winning volley at the net. He throws down an ace seconds later to hold serve. All square at 2-2.

Roddick set to miss the ATP World finals for the first time in nine years, but that won't stop him from wanting to win this title. No break for either man yet. Roddick looking in decent condition early on. Not a full house in for this.

Benneteau restores parity by holding serve in the second game of the match. Decent hold for the French player, who is receiving some vocal encouragment from his coach in the stands.

Roddick holds serve in the opening game of the match aided by a trademark slamdunk to finish off one of the points. An impressive opening game from the former Wimbledon finalist. Already two aces from Roddick.