The match began in 30 C sunshine and ended 3 hours, 21 minutes later. Both weary players required leg massages from a trainer during fifth-set changeovers, but both came up with brilliant shots down the stretch.
Acasuso hit more.
"It's a five-set match," he said with a smile. "And I made the most of it."
James Blake and Vince Spadea joined Roddick on the sideline, meaning that for the second year in a row -- and for just the second time in more than 30 years at a Grand Slam event -- no American men made it to the third round.
Former champion Justine Henin-Hardenne shrugged off a sore back to advance on the women's side. Other winners included Frenchwoman Amelie Mauresmo, Wimbledon champion Maria Sharapova, and US Open champ Svetlana Kuznetsova.
Men's Australian Open champ Marat Safin advanced to play Juan Carlos Ferrero, the 2003 French Open winner, and Guillermo Coria, the 2004 runner-up, won when 18-year-old Serbian qualifier Novak Djokovic retired with respiratory trouble in the third set. Djokovic said a sinus problem has bothered him for about a year.
Few considered Roddick a title threat despite his No. 2 seeding, and the latest loss suggested he's becoming increasingly confused about how to play on clay.
His big serve was negated by Acasuso, who had more aces, 20 to 13. And Roddick repeatedly found himself driven into the corner in long rallies, leaving the court open for Acasuso to smack a winner.
Acasuso, ranked 62nd, earned his second win over a top-five player this spring. He beat Marat Safin last month in Barcelona.
With his latest upset, the Argentine advanced to the third round at a major tournament for the first time in 16 events. When it was over, he sank to the court in exhaustion and jubilation, and to his surprise, Roddick climbed over the net to shake hands.
"He really knew how to lose," Acasuso said.
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