Berdych upset by Llodra in straight sets at Open

Wimbledon runner-up Tomas Berdych lost in the first round of the

U.S. Open on Wednesday, beaten 7-6 (3), 6-4, 6-4 by 35th-ranked

Michael Llodra of France.

The No. 7 Berdych is the highest-seeded man to lose so far this

year at Flushing Meadows. He had been enjoying a breakthrough

season at Grand Slam tournaments, reaching his first major

semifinal at the French Open, before playing in his first major

final at the All England Club.

Llodra, a rare example of a serve-and-volley player, lost in the

first round in 22 of the 36 previous Grand Slam tournaments he

played, never making it past the fourth round.