After breezing through the first set, the third-seeded American required five match points before putting away a volley to end the second-round match.

"I was thankful to get through in two after that," Roddick said. "To win a third set might have been a tall task. I don't know what tomorrow will bring, but today was fun."

Roddick played for the first time since injuring his hamstring in a Davis Cup win over Spain's Fernando Verdasco last month. He will next face Juan Ignacio Chela or Igor Andreev.

Filippo Volandri of Italy upset 13th-seeded Richard Gasquet 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-4. Volandri was helped by the home fans, who created a soccer-match-like atmosphere.

He acknowledged he'll "need more than the fans' enthusiasm" for his next match against top-ranked Roger Federer.

Fifth-seeded Novak Djokovic, No. 6 Fernando Gonzalez, No. 12 Tomas Berdych and No. 15 Mikhail Youzhny all advanced.

Djokovic, who defeated Gasquet to win his third title of the season at Estoril on Sunday, rallied to beat Robin Soderling 3-6, 6-4, 6-3. Gonzalez rolled past Dmitry Tursunov 6-2, 6-1, Berdych defeated Albert Montanes 7-6 (5), 6-3, and Youzhny downed Olivier Rochus 7-6 (7), 6-3.

Last year's Australian Open runner-up, Marcos Baghdatis, defeated Radek Stepanek 3-6, 7-6 (5), 6-2.

Roddick attacked well and even showed some clay-court savvy, pulling off a difficult backhand drop-shot winner to set up his first match point.

"It's probably the first time — and last time — where if you asked me what my best shot was I'd say my drop shot," Roddick said. "I've been trying to work on it a little more."

The 71st-ranked Gaudio forced Roddick to miss volleys at his feet to save the first two match points.

Roddick was sharp overall with his volleys, winning 20 of 32 points at the net. He also never dropped his serve.

Roddick said coach Jimmy Connors suggested he move to the net more.

"I think moving forward has become a little more prevalent in our day-to-day game plans since we've been working together," said Roddick, who hired Connors last July.

Connors will rejoin Roddick at the French Open, which begins May 27.

The 28-year-old Gaudio said he was considering retirement.