CANBERRA, Jan. 6 (Xinhua) -- Top seed Andy Roddick led the U.S. charge to progress into the third round of the Brisbane International ATP event on Wednesday.

    Roddick worked his way past host player Carsten Ball 7-6, 6-3.

    Roddick, ranked seventh in the world, was playing his first tournament since a knee injury in November.

    His fellow American James Blake was made sweat in his 6-3, 3-6,7-6 win over Frenchman Marc Gicquel.

    Blake saved three match points and recovered from a service break down in the deciding third set.

    American Wayne Odesnik also toiled to beat Alejandro Falla of Colombia 6-7 (8), 6-2, 6-1.

    Defending champion Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic continued his title defence as the second seed reaped a tight victory, beating Ukranian qualifier Oleksandr Dolgopolov Jr 5-7, 7-6, 6-2.

    Richard Gasquet of France eased past Matthew Ebden of Australia6-3, 6-4 to advance.

    In the women's event, Slovakia's Daniela Hantuchova brushed aside Hungary's Agnes Szavay 6-3, 6-1 while unseeded Czech Lucie Safarova disposed of Canada's Aleksandra Wozniak 6-3, 6-1 to join Kim Clijsters in Thursday's semifinals.