Rafael Nadal expectedly moved into the second round of the French Open yesterday. The defending champion could hardly be any more at home on Court Philippe Chatrier if he wore carpet slippers, and the three-times defending champion barely broke sweat after a tight first set in his rain-interrupted match with Brazilian Thomaz Bellucci.
Held over at 1-1 in the first set after Tuesday's downpours, the Spaniard dashed past the South American qualifier 7-5 6-3 6-1 and awaits more eager prey in round two in the shape of France's Nicolas Devilder.
"You never know what can happen, I am just trying to do my best. It's always hard in the first round," the 21-year-old Spaniard said in a courtside interview after extending his Roland Garros career record to 22-0.
Unfortunately for former champion Juan Carlos Ferrero one of the things not working for him was his right leg. The 2003 winner was a set up and 2-2 against Brazilian journeyman Marcos Daniel when he called it a day, making it the first time he had failed to pass the first round on the red clay.
Serbian third seed Novak Djokovic stole a march on his rivals by booking a place in the third round for the loss of just five games against Spaniard Miguel Angel Lopez Jaen.
Australian 25th seed Lleyton Hewitt prospered with the sun on his back, sending another home hope crashing with a 6-4 6-2 6-4 win over Nicolas Mahut.
