All U.S. Men Get Knocked Out Early, Including Roddick

"The conditions were really heavy," Spadea said. "You could get 10 marathon runners and give them tennis rackets, and they'd probably fare better than half the tennis players out here."

Roddick took command early Wednesday, breaking Mutis's serve in the fourth game to claim the first set in a brisk 35 minutes. But he grew sloppy in the second set, while Mutis got sharper. Instead of being cowed by Roddick's record-breaking serve and rocket-like forehand, Mutis attacked the ball, taking big whacks that worked in his favor.

They played each other stroke for stroke in the third set, with Roddick pulling out an ace to clinch the tiebreaker, 7-5.

Down two sets to one, Mutis toughened his resolve, convinced Roddick could be beaten. When Roddick hit with power, Mutis varied the pace. When Roddick rushed the net, Mutis ripped passing shots beyond his reach.

In the fourth set, Roddick's mighty serve deserted him. He was broken on four consecutive service games in the fourth and fifth sets, and the blow seemed to drain the resolve from him. Roddick's forehand went next. Mutis's array of shots and tricks, meanwhile, seemed to multiply.

"He's very talented," Roddick said. "There's no doubt he has great hands; that's evident right away."

The 3-hour 10-minute match was played before a spirited crowd at Suzanne Lenglen Court, and more than once the umpire had to quiet fans.

The chattering clearly agitated Roddick, who turned to the umpire for help in the final set. By then, though, his focus was shot.

Roddick is hardly the only American to leave Roland Garros disappointed. Unlike Pete Sampras, Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe -- among the Americans never to have won here -- he will have other chances.