A rejuvenated Roger Federer believes he is still reaping the benefits of his extended break from tennis after a comfortable opening victory at the ATP &nbsp;Montreal openers Masters gave him his best start to a season since 2006.

The Swiss star, who celebrated his 36th birthday on Tuesday, swatted aside Canada&#39;s world number 116 Peter Polansky 6-2, 6-1 in just 53 minutes to book his place in the second round.

Federer was joined in the last 16 by top seed and old adversary Rafael Nadal, who made similarly short work of his opening assignment.&nbsp;

Nadal, who will depose the absent Andy Murray as world number one if he reaches the semi-finals in Montreal this week, routed Croatian youngster Borna Coric 6-1, 6-2.

Federer is riding high after a spectacular year which has netted him both the Australian Open and Wimbledon crowns.

On Wednesday&#39;s evidence, few would bet against him adding the US Open to that haul after a masterful performance that left Polansky groping at shadows.

A one-sided win gave him a 32-2 start to the season, his best beginning to a campaign since 2006 when he began 38-2 and finished the year at world number one.

Federer attributed his renaissance to rediscovering full fitness after knee surgery in 2016 and taking a two-month break from the game earlier this year.

&quot;I guess for me the key is that I&#39;m actually healthy,&quot; Federer said.&nbsp;

&quot;I knew that when I was healthy, I was going to be able to have chances to win slams again, to play against the best, beat the best.&nbsp;

&quot;That&#39;s also reasons why I&#39;m still playing today. If I felt like I couldn&#39;t do all these things, it would not be enjoyable or I wouldn&#39;t be doing it anymore.

&quot;I think the belief was always there. The body always needed to be there, too. I think the break just rejuvenated me ... I came in refreshed. It was a different mindset.&quot;

Federer took control immediately against Polansky, holding his opening service game comfortably before quickly going 0-40 up in the second game.&nbsp;

A Polansky double fault gave Federer the break and the Swiss were soon 3-0 up after holding serve to love in the next game.

Polansky held his next two service games but never looked like breaking Federer&#39;s serve as the veteran moved into a 5-2 lead.

Federer then broke Polansky to take the first set, following a signature backhand with a deft forehand volley that left the 29-year-old Canadian scrambling.

Federer was soon in control in the second set, scoring an early break and holding twice to move 3-0 up before a further break made it 4-0.

Polansky earned a stay of execution after holding serve in the sixth game to make it 5-1, but Federer raced into the next round with a comfortable hold, finishing with an emphatic overhead smash.

Federer will face Spain&#39;s David Ferrer in the third round. Ferrer upset 15th seed Jack Sock 7-6 (9/7), 3-6, 6-1.

Elsewhere Wednesday, France&#39;s Gael Monfils saved four match points before digging deep to defeat Japanese fifth seed Kei Nishikori in an attritional three-set duel.

Monfils prevailed 6-7 (4/7), 7-5, 7-6 (8/6) to advance.

There was almost another French Houdini act in the evening session when Richard Gasquet fought back from triple match point down to earn three match points in the final set of his duel with Germany&#39;s Alexander Zverev.

Fourth-seed Zverev, however, fought back brilliantly to claim victory in a tiebreak, winning 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (7/3).

Zverev will now face Australia&#39;s Nick Kyrgios in the last 16. Kyrgios swatted aside Victor Troicki 6-1, 6-2.

Federer was joined in the last 16 by top seed and old adversary Rafael Nadal, who made similarly short work of his opening assignment

A rejuvenated Roger Federer believes he is still reaping the benefits of his extended break from tennis after a comfortable opening victory at the ATP Montreal openers Masters gave him his best start to a season since 2006. The Swiss star, who celebrated his 36th birthday on Tuesday, swatted aside Canada's world number 116 Peter Polansky 6-2, 6-1 in just 53 minutes to book his place in the second round. Federer was joined in the last 16 by top seed and old adversary Rafael Nadal, who made similarly short work of his opening assignment. Nadal, who will depose the absent Andy Murray as world number one if he reaches the semi-finals in Montreal this week, routed Croatian youngster Borna Coric 6-1, 6-2. Federer is riding high after a spectacular year which has netted him both the Australian Open and Wimbledon crowns. On Wednesday's evidence, few would bet against him adding the US Open to that haul after a masterful performance that left Polansky groping at shadows. A one-sided win gave him a 32-2 start to the season, his best beginning to a campaign since 2006 when he began 38-2 and finished the year at world number one. Federer attributed his renaissance to rediscovering full fitness after knee surgery in 2016 and taking a two-month break from the game earlier this year. "I guess for me the key is that I'm actually healthy," Federer said. "I knew that when I was healthy, I was going to be able to have chances to win slams again, to play against the best, beat the best. "That's also reasons why I'm still playing today. If I felt like I couldn't do all these things, it would not be enjoyable or I wouldn't be doing it anymore. "I think the belief was always there. The body always needed to be there, too. I think the break just rejuvenated me ... I came in refreshed. It was a different mindset." Federer took control immediately against Polansky, holding his opening service game comfortably before quickly going 0-40 up in the second game. A Polansky double fault gave Federer the break and the Swiss were soon 3-0 up after holding serve to love in the next game. Polansky held his next two service games but never looked like breaking Federer's serve as the veteran moved into a 5-2 lead. Federer then broke Polansky to take the first set, following a signature backhand with a deft forehand volley that left the 29-year-old Canadian scrambling. Federer was soon in control in the second set, scoring an early break and holding twice to move 3-0 up before a further break made it 4-0. Polansky earned a stay of execution after holding serve in the sixth game to make it 5-1, but Federer raced into the next round with a comfortable hold, finishing with an emphatic overhead smash. Federer will face Spain's David Ferrer in the third round. Ferrer upset 15th seed Jack Sock 7-6 (9/7), 3-6, 6-1. Elsewhere Wednesday, France's Gael Monfils saved four match points before digging deep to defeat Japanese fifth seed Kei Nishikori in an attritional three-set duel. Monfils prevailed 6-7 (4/7), 7-5, 7-6 (8/6) to advance. There was almost another French Houdini act in the evening session when Richard Gasquet fought back from triple match point down to earn three match points in the final set of his duel with Germany's Alexander Zverev. Fourth-seed Zverev, however, fought back brilliantly to claim victory in a tiebreak, winning 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (7/3). Zverev will now face Australia's Nick Kyrgios in the last 16. Kyrgios swatted aside Victor Troicki 6-1, 6-2.

Tennis: Federer, Nadal stroll in Montreal openers

Switzerland&#39;s Stan Wawrinka lost in the first round at Wimbledon on Monday against Russia&#39;s Daniil Medvedev.

Wawrinka already plagued with a knee injury went down fighting in four sets &nbsp;6-4 3-6 6-4 6-1 against his resurgent Russian opponent.

21-year-old Medvedev took just over two hours to outlast Wawrinka who had reached the French Open final just two weeks ago where he lost to Nadal.

After the match, a disappointed Wawrinka said, &quot;I have no words to describe this. I guess this memory will be with me forever.&quot;

&quot;I wasn&#39;t feeling the way I wanted to feel,&quot; he said.&nbsp;

&quot;But I played against a great player who I think was confident today, was playing well, was playing faster. It was a tough loss.&quot;

Medvedev fired &nbsp;10 aces during the two-hour battle to put the game beyond Wawrinka.

&quot;It was just something special. I don&#39;t know how to explain it,&quot; Medvedev said after beating the third seed Wawrinka.

Medvedev will meet 124th-ranked Belgian Ruben Bemelmans in the next round.

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On Day 1 of Wimbledon 2017, Wawrinka suffered an upset, while Murray and the five-times Wimbledon champion Venus Williams stormed through to the second round (WION,WION Web Team)
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Wawrinka already plagued with a knee injury went down fighting in four sets

Switzerland's Stan Wawrinka lost in the first round at Wimbledon on Monday against Russia's Daniil Medvedev. Wawrinka already plagued with a knee injury went down fighting in four sets 6-4 3-6 6-4 6-1 against his resurgent Russian opponent. 21-year-old Medvedev took just over two hours to outlast Wawrinka who had reached the French Open final just two weeks ago where he lost to Nadal. After the match, a disappointed Wawrinka said, "I have no words to describe this. I guess this memory will be with me forever." "I wasn't feeling the way I wanted to feel," he said. "But I played against a great player who I think was confident today, was playing well, was playing faster. It was a tough loss." Medvedev fired 10 aces during the two-hour battle to put the game beyond Wawrinka. "It was just something special. I don't know how to explain it," Medvedev said after beating the third seed Wawrinka. Medvedev will meet 124th-ranked Belgian Ruben Bemelmans in the next round. On Day 1 of Wimbledon 2017, Wawrinka suffered an upset, while Murray and the five-times Wimbledon champion Venus Williams stormed through to the second round (WION,WION Web Team) ×

Wimbledon: Russia's Daniil Medvedev stuns Wawrinka

Rafael Nadal dropped just six games against Stanislas Wawrinka to win an unprecedented&nbsp;tenth French Open on Sunday.

Nadal beat the world number three 6-2, 6-3, 6-1 to achieve his own version of La decima.

The Spaniard becomes the first man in history to win a single grand slam on ten occasions.

Playing in his 22nd Grand Slam final,&nbsp;Nadal&nbsp;triumphed in Paris without dropping a set for a third time.

He also lost just 35 games in total and only six in the final, his most comprehensive victory since allowing Roger Federer four games in the 2008 final.

&quot;It&#39;s really incredible. To win La Decima is very, very special,&quot; said&nbsp;Nadal.

&quot;I am very emotional. The feeling I have is impossible to describe.

&quot;It&#39;s difficult to compare with other tournaments but the nerves and adrenaline I feel, it&#39;s like no other place.&quot;

Once Hollywood A-lister Nicole Kidman had helped unbox the Coupe des Mousquetaires to a crowd already wilting in 30-degree heat, the final was underway.

It was the 22nd Slam finale for&nbsp;Nadal; just the fourth for Wawrinka, the oldest man in the championship match in 44 years.

Sunday was also the first time since 1969 that the Roland Garros final had featured two men over 30.

Despite having spent more than five hours on court getting to the final, 2015 champion Wawrinka had the first break point in the third game.

The 32-year-old couldn&#39;t take it and&nbsp;it proved to be the only break point he earned all afternoon.

From there, it was all downhill.

Nadal&nbsp;was unable to convert four break points in the fourth game.

No matter as he broke through for 4-2 and then went to set point in the eighth game after a relentless forehand barrage sapped the will out of Wawrinka.

A backhand which sailed long gave&nbsp;Nadal&nbsp;the first set with the Spaniard having crunched 10 winners to Wawrinka&#39;s four while committing half the unforced errors.

Nadal&nbsp;forced Wawrinka into another forehand error to break for 2-0 in the second set before the Swiss halted a run of seven games lost with a hold for 1-3.

But the song remained the same,&nbsp;Nadal&nbsp;taking the set in the ninth game, just moments after Wawrinka, who knocked out world number one Andy Murray in the semis, had destroyed a racquet in utter frustration.

First game of the third set and&nbsp;Nadal&nbsp;broke again as the man who stunned him in the 2014 Australian Open final suffered further damage.

Nadal&nbsp;was soon a double break to the good for 4-1, held for 5-1 and then claimed a huge slice of history when Wawrinka limply dropped a backhand into the net.

(WION with inputs from AFP)

Rafael Nadal dropped just six games to lift the title at Roland Garros

Rafael Nadal dropped just six games against Stanislas Wawrinka to win an unprecedented tenth French Open on Sunday. Nadal beat the world number three 6-2, 6-3, 6-1 to achieve his own version of La decima. The Spaniard becomes the first man in history to win a single grand slam on ten occasions. Playing in his 22nd Grand Slam final, Nadal triumphed in Paris without dropping a set for a third time. He also lost just 35 games in total and only six in the final, his most comprehensive victory since allowing Roger Federer four games in the 2008 final. "It's really incredible. To win La Decima is very, very special," said Nadal. "I am very emotional. The feeling I have is impossible to describe. "It's difficult to compare with other tournaments but the nerves and adrenaline I feel, it's like no other place." Once Hollywood A-lister Nicole Kidman had helped unbox the Coupe des Mousquetaires to a crowd already wilting in 30-degree heat, the final was underway. It was the 22nd Slam finale for Nadal; just the fourth for Wawrinka, the oldest man in the championship match in 44 years. Sunday was also the first time since 1969 that the Roland Garros final had featured two men over 30. Despite having spent more than five hours on court getting to the final, 2015 champion Wawrinka had the first break point in the third game. The 32-year-old couldn't take it and it proved to be the only break point he earned all afternoon. From there, it was all downhill. Nadal was unable to convert four break points in the fourth game. No matter as he broke through for 4-2 and then went to set point in the eighth game after a relentless forehand barrage sapped the will out of Wawrinka. A backhand which sailed long gave Nadal the first set with the Spaniard having crunched 10 winners to Wawrinka's four while committing half the unforced errors. Nadal forced Wawrinka into another forehand error to break for 2-0 in the second set before the Swiss halted a run of seven games lost with a hold for 1-3. But the song remained the same, Nadal taking the set in the ninth game, just moments after Wawrinka, who knocked out world number one Andy Murray in the semis, had destroyed a racquet in utter frustration. First game of the third set and Nadal broke again as the man who stunned him in the 2014 Australian Open final suffered further damage. Nadal was soon a double break to the good for 4-1, held for 5-1 and then claimed a huge slice of history when Wawrinka limply dropped a backhand into the net. (WION with inputs from AFP)

Nadal sweeps away Wawrinka to lift tenth French Open

Rafael Nadal insists winning a record 10th French Open title on Sunday, and his 15th career Grand Slam crown, will not be his greatest achievement.

His proudest moment, he believes, came at his lowest ebb at the end of 2012 and start of 2013 when it seemed certain that his career-long battle against knee and wrist injuries would finally be lost.

But, from a seemingly fruitless position, he then engineered one of the sport&#39;s most remarkable seasons.

&quot;It&#39;s true that 10 is a beautiful number, but actually my favourite is nine,&quot; said Nadal, the nine-time champion at Roland Garros who faces 2015 winner Stan Wawrinka in the final.

&quot;For sure if it becomes 10 it will be my favourite.&nbsp;

&quot;But the thing that I am more proud of in my career probably is 2013. It was amazing.&quot;

Nadal missed seven months of action between 2012 and 2013 due to a left knee injury and then a stomach virus.

But when he returned, he swept to the French and US Open titles and reclaimed the world number one spot.

&quot;I had too many problems on my knee, so I was not able to practise at all. And I finished the year being World No. 1, winning here (in Paris), winning the US Open. So that&#39;s the thing that I am more proud,&quot; said Nadal.

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The 31-year-old Spaniard has coasted into a 10th French Open final without dropping a set.

While Wawrinka needed the best part of five hours to defeat world number one Andy Murray, Nadal brushed aside Dominic Thiem, the conqueror of Novak Djokovic in straight sets.

His career record at Roland Garros reads 78 wins and just two losses.

On Sunday, he will be playing in his 22nd Grand Slam final.

On his way to the title match, he has shipped just 29 games, six fewer than when he made the 2012 final and just two more than the record of 27 conceded by Bjorn Borg in his 1978 trophy season.

Revenge not in Nadal &#39;vocab&#39;&nbsp;

However, despite boasting a 15-3 head-to-head superiority over 32-year-old Wawrinka, the oldest man in the Paris final in 44 years, Nadal is wary of complacency.

&quot;Nine here is probably difficult. If I did it, probably somebody else gonna do it, because I don&#39;t consider myself very special,&quot; he said.

The final will also be emotional for Toni Nadal, the uncle and coach of the Spanish star.

He will step down after being at his nephew&#39;s side since boyhood.

&quot;It&#39;s not been special but it will be next year when I am watching it on my TV at home,&quot; Toni, 56, told AS.

&quot;At the moment I am not thinking about the fact it will be the last time that I go to the centre court in Paris.

&quot;I am only going to see my nephew and to see if he does well. When I watch him on TV I will be just as happy.&quot;

Wawrinka has only beaten Nadal once on clay in six meetings.

But there is no doubt that he is a big match player.

The Swiss has won all three Grand Slam finals in which he has appeared -- in 2014 he beat Nadal in Australia and then Djokovic in the 2015 Paris final and again in last year&#39;s US Open finale.

The win in Melbourne was his first after 12 straight losses against Nadal.

But Nadal said revenge for that defeat has never entered his thinking.

&quot;Revenge is not part of my vocab. I don&#39;t think it would be the right thing to do to see it as a revenge,&quot; said Nadal who withdrew before last year&#39;s third round at the French Open with a wrist injury.

Wawrinka will be the third oldest winner of the men&#39;s title if he succeeds on Sunday.

&quot;To play Rafa on clay in the French Open in a final is probably the biggest challenge you can have in tennis,&quot; he said.

&quot;He&#39;s the best player ever on clay. He&#39;s going for his 10th Roland Garros, so it&#39;s something really impressive, something tough.&nbsp;

&quot;I will have to play my best tennis. But again, I did in the past.&quot;

(AFP)

Rafael Nadal has a 15-3 head-to-head record against Stanislas Wawrinka, though the Swiss has a 3-0 record in Grand Slam finals

Rafael Nadal insists winning a record 10th French Open title on Sunday, and his 15th career Grand Slam crown, will not be his greatest achievement. His proudest moment, he believes, came at his lowest ebb at the end of 2012 and start of 2013 when it seemed certain that his career-long battle against knee and wrist injuries would finally be lost. But, from a seemingly fruitless position, he then engineered one of the sport's most remarkable seasons. "It's true that 10 is a beautiful number, but actually my favourite is nine," said Nadal, the nine-time champion at Roland Garros who faces 2015 winner Stan Wawrinka in the final. "For sure if it becomes 10 it will be my favourite. "But the thing that I am more proud of in my career probably is 2013. It was amazing." Nadal missed seven months of action between 2012 and 2013 due to a left knee injury and then a stomach virus. But when he returned, he swept to the French and US Open titles and reclaimed the world number one spot. "I had too many problems on my knee, so I was not able to practise at all. And I finished the year being World No. 1, winning here (in Paris), winning the US Open. So that's the thing that I am more proud," said Nadal. The 31-year-old Spaniard has coasted into a 10th French Open final without dropping a set. While Wawrinka needed the best part of five hours to defeat world number one Andy Murray, Nadal brushed aside Dominic Thiem, the conqueror of Novak Djokovic in straight sets. His career record at Roland Garros reads 78 wins and just two losses. On Sunday, he will be playing in his 22nd Grand Slam final. On his way to the title match, he has shipped just 29 games, six fewer than when he made the 2012 final and just two more than the record of 27 conceded by Bjorn Borg in his 1978 trophy season. Revenge not in Nadal 'vocab' However, despite boasting a 15-3 head-to-head superiority over 32-year-old Wawrinka, the oldest man in the Paris final in 44 years, Nadal is wary of complacency. "Nine here is probably difficult. If I did it, probably somebody else gonna do it, because I don't consider myself very special," he said. The final will also be emotional for Toni Nadal, the uncle and coach of the Spanish star. He will step down after being at his nephew's side since boyhood. "It's not been special but it will be next year when I am watching it on my TV at home," Toni, 56, told AS. "At the moment I am not thinking about the fact it will be the last time that I go to the centre court in Paris. "I am only going to see my nephew and to see if he does well. When I watch him on TV I will be just as happy." Wawrinka has only beaten Nadal once on clay in six meetings. But there is no doubt that he is a big match player. The Swiss has won all three Grand Slam finals in which he has appeared -- in 2014 he beat Nadal in Australia and then Djokovic in the 2015 Paris final and again in last year's US Open finale. The win in Melbourne was his first after 12 straight losses against Nadal. But Nadal said revenge for that defeat has never entered his thinking. "Revenge is not part of my vocab. I don't think it would be the right thing to do to see it as a revenge," said Nadal who withdrew before last year's third round at the French Open with a wrist injury. Wawrinka will be the third oldest winner of the men's title if he succeeds on Sunday. "To play Rafa on clay in the French Open in a final is probably the biggest challenge you can have in tennis," he said. "He's the best player ever on clay. He's going for his 10th Roland Garros, so it's something really impressive, something tough. "I will have to play my best tennis. But again, I did in the past." (AFP)

French Open men's final preview: Wawrinka last hurdle to Nadal's La Decima dream

Defending champion Novak Djokovic crashed out of the French Open on Wednesday, sparking fresh fears over his appetite for the sport he once dominated as Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray made the semi-finals.

World number two Djokovic slumped to a stunning 7-6 (7/5), 6-3, 6-0 quarter-final loss to Dominic Thiem for his earliest exit in Paris in seven years.

Nadal, chasing a 10th Roland Garros title, will face 23-year-old Thiem after making the last four without breaking sweat.

He was 6-2, 2-0 up on Pablo Carreno Busta when his Spanish compatriot quit with an abdominal injury.

Friday&#39;s other semi-final will pitch world number one Murray, the runner-up to Djokovic in 2016, against 2015 champion Stan Wawrinka.

Murray made the semi-finals for the fifth time with a 2-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7/0), 6-1 win over Japanese eighth seed Kei Nishikori.

Wawrinka became the oldest French Open semi-finalist in 32 years when he brushed aside Marin Cilic 6-3, 6-3, 6-1.

Djokovic, who had brought in Andre Agassi as coach in an effort to boost his flagging career, hinted he may step back from the sport to regroup even with Wimbledon fast approaching.

&quot;Trust me, I&#39;m thinking about many things, especially in the last couple months,&quot; he said.

&quot;At the same time, I have responsibility to the game itself, towards others. We&#39;ll see. Obviously it&#39;s not an easy decision to make, but I will see how I feel after Roland Garros and then decide what to do next.&quot;

Wednesday&#39;s defeat to Thiem was Djokovic&#39;s first straight-sets loss at a major in four years and comes just 12 months after he completed the career Grand Slam in Paris.

- Djokovic &#39;up for challenge&#39; - 
He then also held all four majors and became the first man to break the $100 million prize money barrier.

Wednesday saw him suffer a first 6-0 &#39;bagel&#39; at a Slam since the 2005 US Open while the defeat will see him slip out of the world&#39;s top two for the first time in six years.

&quot;All the top players go through this. It&#39;s a big challenge but I am up for it,&quot; said Djokovic who was also runner-up in Paris in 2012, 2014 and 2015.

Thiem had lost to the Serb in the semi-finals last year and took just one game in a straight-sets loss in Rome in May.

His shock quarter-final victory was his first in six meetings with the 12-time major winner.

Austrian sixth seed Thiem is the only man to beat Nadal on clay this year -- his Rome quarter-final success offsetting losses in the final in Barcelona and Madrid.

&quot;It&#39;s going to be the toughest match you can imagine,&quot; admitted the 23-year-old.

Fourth seed Nadal recorded his 100th best-of-five-sets victory on clay -- from just 102 matches.

He will be playing in his 10th semi-final in Paris and has made it having lost just 22 games through five matches.

Bjorn Borg surrendered just 32 games on his way to the 1978 French Open, but Nadal insisted he has no interest in such records.

&quot;I don&#39;t know how many games I lost this year, but I really don&#39;t care about this. I only care that I am in the semi-finals,&quot; said Nadal.

Murray advanced to his fourth straight semi-final in Paris, defeating Nishikori to avenge his loss to the Japanese star at the US Open last year.

The Scot set up a semi-final rematch with third seed Wawrinka after beating the Swiss in four sets at the same stage a year ago.&nbsp;

&quot;He&#39;s played fantastic this tournament so far,&quot; Murray said of the 32-year-old, the oldest Roland Garros semi-finalist since Jimmy Connors in 1985.

Like Nadal and Thiem, Wawrinka has not lost a set on his way to a third successive semi-final at Roland Garros.

&quot;It was perfect today, I&#39;m very satisfied,&quot; said reigning US Open champion Wawrinka after a 12th win in 14 meetings with Cilic. 
 
(AFP)

World number two Djokovic slumped to a stunning 7-6 (7/5), 6-3, 6-0 quarter-final loss to Dominic Thiem

Defending champion Novak Djokovic crashed out of the French Open on Wednesday, sparking fresh fears over his appetite for the sport he once dominated as Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray made the semi-finals. World number two Djokovic slumped to a stunning 7-6 (7/5), 6-3, 6-0 quarter-final loss to Dominic Thiem for his earliest exit in Paris in seven years. Nadal, chasing a 10th Roland Garros title, will face 23-year-old Thiem after making the last four without breaking sweat. He was 6-2, 2-0 up on Pablo Carreno Busta when his Spanish compatriot quit with an abdominal injury. Friday's other semi-final will pitch world number one Murray, the runner-up to Djokovic in 2016, against 2015 champion Stan Wawrinka. Murray made the semi-finals for the fifth time with a 2-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7/0), 6-1 win over Japanese eighth seed Kei Nishikori. Wawrinka became the oldest French Open semi-finalist in 32 years when he brushed aside Marin Cilic 6-3, 6-3, 6-1. Djokovic, who had brought in Andre Agassi as coach in an effort to boost his flagging career, hinted he may step back from the sport to regroup even with Wimbledon fast approaching. "Trust me, I'm thinking about many things, especially in the last couple months," he said. "At the same time, I have responsibility to the game itself, towards others. We'll see. Obviously it's not an easy decision to make, but I will see how I feel after Roland Garros and then decide what to do next." Wednesday's defeat to Thiem was Djokovic's first straight-sets loss at a major in four years and comes just 12 months after he completed the career Grand Slam in Paris. - Djokovic 'up for challenge' - He then also held all four majors and became the first man to break the $100 million prize money barrier. Wednesday saw him suffer a first 6-0 'bagel' at a Slam since the 2005 US Open while the defeat will see him slip out of the world's top two for the first time in six years. "All the top players go through this. It's a big challenge but I am up for it," said Djokovic who was also runner-up in Paris in 2012, 2014 and 2015. Thiem had lost to the Serb in the semi-finals last year and took just one game in a straight-sets loss in Rome in May. His shock quarter-final victory was his first in six meetings with the 12-time major winner. Austrian sixth seed Thiem is the only man to beat Nadal on clay this year -- his Rome quarter-final success offsetting losses in the final in Barcelona and Madrid. "It's going to be the toughest match you can imagine," admitted the 23-year-old. Fourth seed Nadal recorded his 100th best-of-five-sets victory on clay -- from just 102 matches. He will be playing in his 10th semi-final in Paris and has made it having lost just 22 games through five matches. Bjorn Borg surrendered just 32 games on his way to the 1978 French Open, but Nadal insisted he has no interest in such records. "I don't know how many games I lost this year, but I really don't care about this. I only care that I am in the semi-finals," said Nadal. Murray advanced to his fourth straight semi-final in Paris, defeating Nishikori to avenge his loss to the Japanese star at the US Open last year. The Scot set up a semi-final rematch with third seed Wawrinka after beating the Swiss in four sets at the same stage a year ago. "He's played fantastic this tournament so far," Murray said of the 32-year-old, the oldest Roland Garros semi-finalist since Jimmy Connors in 1985. Like Nadal and Thiem, Wawrinka has not lost a set on his way to a third successive semi-final at Roland Garros. "It was perfect today, I'm very satisfied," said reigning US Open champion Wawrinka after a 12th win in 14 meetings with Cilic. (AFP)

French Open: Djokovic crashes as Nadal, Murray move on to semi-finals

Nine-time champion Rafael Nadal and title-holder Novak Djokovic surged into the French Open quarter-finals for a record-equalling 11th time on Sunday, but reigning women&#39;s champion Garbine Muguruza crashed out in the last 16.

Nadal continued his ruthless form at Roland Garros by dispatching Spanish 17th seed Roberto Bautista Agut 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 to match Roger Federer&#39;s mark of last-eight appearances in Paris.&nbsp;

The 14-time major winner has dropped just 20 games in four matches as he strives to become the first man to win 10 titles at a single Grand Slam.&nbsp;

&quot;I&#39;m happy because Roberto is a very good player. It&#39;s very important for me to be in the quarter-finals one more time,&quot; said Nadal, who turned 31 on Saturday.

&quot;Probably I didn&#39;t play as well as I did the other day, but I still played well.&quot;

The fourth seed will meet compatriot Pablo Carreno Busta, through to his first Slam quarter-final, for spot in the last four after the latter stunned Canada&#39;s Milos Raonic.

Carreno Busta, seeded 20th, needed seven match points to clinch a thrilling 4-6, 7-6 (7/2), 6-7 (6/8), 6-4, 8-6 win over the fifth-seeded Raonic.

Djokovic also became an 11-time quarter-finalist as he sauntered past Spain&#39;s Albert Ramos-Vinolas 7-6 (7/5), 6-1, 6-3.

The Serb needed 75 minutes to clinch the opening set but then outclassed the 19th seed to set up a showdown with Dominic Thiem.

&quot;There&#39;s no easy match in a Grand Slam quarter-final, it will be very difficult for both of us,&quot; said Djokovic of his upcoming challenge.

The Serb also confirmed that coach Andre Agassi had, as planned, already left Paris.

Austrian sixth seed Thiem thrashed Argentina&#39;s Horacio Zeballos 6-1, 6-3, 6-1 to reach the quarters for a second straight year.

Japan&#39;s Kei Nishikori fought off a fierce challenge from South Korea&#39;s Hyeon Chung in an all-Asian tussle held over from Saturday following rain to clinch a place in the last 16.

Chung quickly forced the contest into a fifth set as play resumed on Sunday, but the world number 67 double faulted on match point to gift Nishikori a 7-5, 6-4, 6-7 (4/7), 0-6, 6-4 victory.

&quot;I think the rain helps me a lot, because I was really down in the fourth set and mentally I wasn&#39;t ready,&quot; admitted Nishikori, who faces Fernando Verdasco next.

New champion awaits 
 
Karen Khachanov will play Andy Murray in the fourth round after the giant Russian beat American 21st seed John Isner 7-6 (7/1), 6-3, 6-7 (5/7), 7-6 (7/3).

Kristina Mladenovic ensured the host nation will have two women in the quarter-finals for the first time since 1994 after dumping out fourth seed Muguruza 6-1, 3-6, 6-3.

&quot;I&#39;m sad. It&#39;s a very painful defeat here in the French Open,&quot; said Muguruza, who left Court Suzanne Lenglen angrily wagging her finger at the crowd.

&quot;I just think that they sometimes should be a little bit more respectful,&quot; she added, as Mladenovic thrived on the partisan support.

The French 13th seed is through to just her second Slam quarter-final -- after the 2015 US Open -- and will face Switzerland&#39;s Timea Bacsinszky for a spot in the last four.

The Swiss 30th seed, a 2015 semi-finalist, defeated 2002 runner-up Venus Williams 5-7, 6-2, 6-1 to guarantee a first-time major champion will be crowned next Saturday.

Danish 11th seed Caroline Wozniacki knocked off 2009 champion Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-1, 4-6, 6-2 to reach the last eight for just the second time.

Wozniacki, who made her only other quarter-final appearance at Roland Garros in 2010, will next meet Latvian teenager Jelena Ostapenko, a 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 winner over 2010 finalist Samantha Stosur.

Second seed Karolina Pliskova advanced to round four with a 7-5, 6-1 victory over Germany&#39;s Carina Witthoeft.

Pliskova, who had won just twice in five previous French Open appearances before this year, will face Paraguay&#39;s Veronica Cepede Royg for a quarter-final spot.

World number 290 and qualifier Petra Martic reached the last 16 with a 6-1, 6-1 win over Latvian 17th seed Anastasija Sevastova.

Croatia&#39;s Martic, a former top 50 player whose ranking slumped after a back injury sidelined her for 10 months, will face Ukraine&#39;s Elina Svitolina.

Fifth seed Svitolina downed Magda Linette of Poland 6-4, 7-5.

(AFP)

 
&nbsp;

Nadal continued his ruthless form at Roland Garros by dispatching Spanish 17th seed Roberto Bautista Agut 6-1, 6-2, 6-2

Nine-time champion Rafael Nadal and title-holder Novak Djokovic surged into the French Open quarter-finals for a record-equalling 11th time on Sunday, but reigning women's champion Garbine Muguruza crashed out in the last 16. Nadal continued his ruthless form at Roland Garros by dispatching Spanish 17th seed Roberto Bautista Agut 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 to match Roger Federer's mark of last-eight appearances in Paris. The 14-time major winner has dropped just 20 games in four matches as he strives to become the first man to win 10 titles at a single Grand Slam. "I'm happy because Roberto is a very good player. It's very important for me to be in the quarter-finals one more time," said Nadal, who turned 31 on Saturday. "Probably I didn't play as well as I did the other day, but I still played well." The fourth seed will meet compatriot Pablo Carreno Busta, through to his first Slam quarter-final, for spot in the last four after the latter stunned Canada's Milos Raonic. Carreno Busta, seeded 20th, needed seven match points to clinch a thrilling 4-6, 7-6 (7/2), 6-7 (6/8), 6-4, 8-6 win over the fifth-seeded Raonic. Djokovic also became an 11-time quarter-finalist as he sauntered past Spain's Albert Ramos-Vinolas 7-6 (7/5), 6-1, 6-3. The Serb needed 75 minutes to clinch the opening set but then outclassed the 19th seed to set up a showdown with Dominic Thiem. "There's no easy match in a Grand Slam quarter-final, it will be very difficult for both of us," said Djokovic of his upcoming challenge. The Serb also confirmed that coach Andre Agassi had, as planned, already left Paris. Austrian sixth seed Thiem thrashed Argentina's Horacio Zeballos 6-1, 6-3, 6-1 to reach the quarters for a second straight year. Japan's Kei Nishikori fought off a fierce challenge from South Korea's Hyeon Chung in an all-Asian tussle held over from Saturday following rain to clinch a place in the last 16. Chung quickly forced the contest into a fifth set as play resumed on Sunday, but the world number 67 double faulted on match point to gift Nishikori a 7-5, 6-4, 6-7 (4/7), 0-6, 6-4 victory. "I think the rain helps me a lot, because I was really down in the fourth set and mentally I wasn't ready," admitted Nishikori, who faces Fernando Verdasco next. New champion awaits Karen Khachanov will play Andy Murray in the fourth round after the giant Russian beat American 21st seed John Isner 7-6 (7/1), 6-3, 6-7 (5/7), 7-6 (7/3). Kristina Mladenovic ensured the host nation will have two women in the quarter-finals for the first time since 1994 after dumping out fourth seed Muguruza 6-1, 3-6, 6-3. "I'm sad. It's a very painful defeat here in the French Open," said Muguruza, who left Court Suzanne Lenglen angrily wagging her finger at the crowd. "I just think that they sometimes should be a little bit more respectful," she added, as Mladenovic thrived on the partisan support. The French 13th seed is through to just her second Slam quarter-final -- after the 2015 US Open -- and will face Switzerland's Timea Bacsinszky for a spot in the last four. The Swiss 30th seed, a 2015 semi-finalist, defeated 2002 runner-up Venus Williams 5-7, 6-2, 6-1 to guarantee a first-time major champion will be crowned next Saturday. Danish 11th seed Caroline Wozniacki knocked off 2009 champion Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-1, 4-6, 6-2 to reach the last eight for just the second time. Wozniacki, who made her only other quarter-final appearance at Roland Garros in 2010, will next meet Latvian teenager Jelena Ostapenko, a 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 winner over 2010 finalist Samantha Stosur. Second seed Karolina Pliskova advanced to round four with a 7-5, 6-1 victory over Germany's Carina Witthoeft. Pliskova, who had won just twice in five previous French Open appearances before this year, will face Paraguay's Veronica Cepede Royg for a quarter-final spot. World number 290 and qualifier Petra Martic reached the last 16 with a 6-1, 6-1 win over Latvian 17th seed Anastasija Sevastova. Croatia's Martic, a former top 50 player whose ranking slumped after a back injury sidelined her for 10 months, will face Ukraine's Elina Svitolina. Fifth seed Svitolina downed Magda Linette of Poland 6-4, 7-5. (AFP)

Nadal, Djokovic enter French Open quarter-finals as champion Muguruza exits

Nine-time champion Rafael Nadal surged into the French Open quarter-finals for a record-equalling 11th time on Sunday, while reigning women&#39;s title-holder Garbine Muguruza crashed out in the last 16.

Nadal continued his ruthless form at Roland Garros by dispatching Spanish 17th seed Roberto Bautista Agut 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 to match Roger Federer&#39;s mark of last-eight appearances in Paris.&nbsp;

The 14-time major winner is yet to drop a set, conceding just six games in the last two rounds as he strives to become the first man to win 10 titles at a single Grand Slam.&nbsp;

&quot;I&#39;m happy because Roberto is a very good player. It&#39;s very important for me to be in the quarter-finals one more time,&quot; said Nadal, who turned 31 on Saturday.

&quot;Probably I didn&#39;t play as well as I did the other day, but I still played well.&quot;

The fourth seed will meet compatriot Pablo Carreno Busta, through to his first Slam quarter-final, for spot in the last four after the latter stunned Canada&#39;s Milos Raonic.

Carreno Busta, seeded 20th, needed seven match points to clinch a thrilling 4-6, 7-6 (7/2), 6-7 (6/8), 6-4, 8-6 win over the fifth-seeded Raonic in four hours and 17 minutes.

Defending champion Novak Djokovic will also become an 11-time quarter-finalist in Paris if he defeats Spain&#39;s Albert Ramos-Vinolas later Sunday.

Japan&#39;s Kei Nishikori fought off a fierce five-set challenge from rising South Korean talent Hyeon Chung to clinch a place in the last 16.

Eighth seed Nishikori led two sets to one but trailed by a double break at 3-0 down in the fourth set when rain halted play on Saturday.

Chung forced the contest into a deciding set as play resumed on Sunday, but the world number 67 double faulted on match point to gift Nishikori a 7-5, 6-4, 6-7 (4/7), 0-6, 6-4 victory.

&quot;I think the rain helps me a lot, because I was really down in the fourth set and mentally I wasn&#39;t ready,&quot; admitted Nishikori.

&quot;I knew I had to change something to beat him today, so I think I made some adjustments to make little better than yesterday.&quot;

&#39;Second chance&#39;&nbsp;

It was the first third-round meeting between two Asian players at Roland Garros, with 2014 US Open finalist Nishikori going on to play Fernando Verdasco&nbsp;for a place in the quarter-finals.

Karen Khachanov will play Andy Murray in the fourth round after the giant Russian beat American 21st seed John Isner 7-6 (7/1), 6-3, 6-7 (5/7), 7-6 (7/3).

Wozniacki became the first woman through to the quarter-finals as the Danish 11th seed dumped out Kuznetsova 6-1, 4-6, 6-2.

Wozniacki, who made her only other last-eight appearance at Roland Garros in 2010, will meet either Australia&#39;s Samantha Stosur or Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia for a semi-final place.

&quot;Svetlana&#39;s a great player, especially on clay so I knew it wouldn&#39;t be easy,&quot; said Wozniacki, a two-time US Open runner-up.

Second seed Karolina Pliskova advanced to round four with a 7-5, 6-1 victory over Germany&#39;s Carina Witthoeft.

Pliskova, who had won just twice in five previous French Open appearances before this year, will face Paraguay&#39;s Veronica Cepede Royg for a quarter-final spot.

World number 290 and qualifier Petra Martic reached the last 16 with a 6-1, 6-1 win over Latvian 17th seed Anastasija Sevastova.

Croatia&#39;s Martic, a former top 50 player whose ranking slumped after a back injury sidelined her for 10 months, will face Ukraine&#39;s Elina Svitolina.

&quot;When I got injured, my only hope was that I would get a second chance so I can play some of my best tennis again,&quot; said Martic.

&quot;I still can&#39;t believe that I&#39;m sitting here.&quot;

Fifth seed Svitolina downed Magda Linette of Poland 6-4, 7-5.

Switzerland&#39;s Timea Bacsinszky qualified for her third successive French Open quarter-final with a 5-7, 6-2, 6-1 win over 2002 runner-up Venus Williams.

The 30th seed will take on France&#39;s Kristina Mladenovic for a place in the semi-finals.

Bacsinszky&#39;s best Grand Slam performance came when she reached the last four at Roland Garros in 2015, losing to eventual champion Serena Williams.

Her victory over Venus means a first-time major champion will be crowned next Saturday.&nbsp;

(AFP)

The 14-time major winner is yet to drop a set, conceding just six games in the last two rounds as he strives to become the first man to win 10 titles at a single Grand Slam

Nine-time champion Rafael Nadal surged into the French Open quarter-finals for a record-equalling 11th time on Sunday, while reigning women's title-holder Garbine Muguruza crashed out in the last 16. Nadal continued his ruthless form at Roland Garros by dispatching Spanish 17th seed Roberto Bautista Agut 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 to match Roger Federer's mark of last-eight appearances in Paris. The 14-time major winner is yet to drop a set, conceding just six games in the last two rounds as he strives to become the first man to win 10 titles at a single Grand Slam. "I'm happy because Roberto is a very good player. It's very important for me to be in the quarter-finals one more time," said Nadal, who turned 31 on Saturday. "Probably I didn't play as well as I did the other day, but I still played well." The fourth seed will meet compatriot Pablo Carreno Busta, through to his first Slam quarter-final, for spot in the last four after the latter stunned Canada's Milos Raonic. Carreno Busta, seeded 20th, needed seven match points to clinch a thrilling 4-6, 7-6 (7/2), 6-7 (6/8), 6-4, 8-6 win over the fifth-seeded Raonic in four hours and 17 minutes. Defending champion Novak Djokovic will also become an 11-time quarter-finalist in Paris if he defeats Spain's Albert Ramos-Vinolas later Sunday. Japan's Kei Nishikori fought off a fierce five-set challenge from rising South Korean talent Hyeon Chung to clinch a place in the last 16. Eighth seed Nishikori led two sets to one but trailed by a double break at 3-0 down in the fourth set when rain halted play on Saturday. Chung forced the contest into a deciding set as play resumed on Sunday, but the world number 67 double faulted on match point to gift Nishikori a 7-5, 6-4, 6-7 (4/7), 0-6, 6-4 victory. "I think the rain helps me a lot, because I was really down in the fourth set and mentally I wasn't ready," admitted Nishikori. "I knew I had to change something to beat him today, so I think I made some adjustments to make little better than yesterday." 'Second chance' It was the first third-round meeting between two Asian players at Roland Garros, with 2014 US Open finalist Nishikori going on to play Fernando Verdasco for a place in the quarter-finals. Karen Khachanov will play Andy Murray in the fourth round after the giant Russian beat American 21st seed John Isner 7-6 (7/1), 6-3, 6-7 (5/7), 7-6 (7/3). Wozniacki became the first woman through to the quarter-finals as the Danish 11th seed dumped out Kuznetsova 6-1, 4-6, 6-2. Wozniacki, who made her only other last-eight appearance at Roland Garros in 2010, will meet either Australia's Samantha Stosur or Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia for a semi-final place. "Svetlana's a great player, especially on clay so I knew it wouldn't be easy," said Wozniacki, a two-time US Open runner-up. Second seed Karolina Pliskova advanced to round four with a 7-5, 6-1 victory over Germany's Carina Witthoeft. Pliskova, who had won just twice in five previous French Open appearances before this year, will face Paraguay's Veronica Cepede Royg for a quarter-final spot. World number 290 and qualifier Petra Martic reached the last 16 with a 6-1, 6-1 win over Latvian 17th seed Anastasija Sevastova. Croatia's Martic, a former top 50 player whose ranking slumped after a back injury sidelined her for 10 months, will face Ukraine's Elina Svitolina. "When I got injured, my only hope was that I would get a second chance so I can play some of my best tennis again," said Martic. "I still can't believe that I'm sitting here." Fifth seed Svitolina downed Magda Linette of Poland 6-4, 7-5. Switzerland's Timea Bacsinszky qualified for her third successive French Open quarter-final with a 5-7, 6-2, 6-1 win over 2002 runner-up Venus Williams. The 30th seed will take on France's Kristina Mladenovic for a place in the semi-finals. Bacsinszky's best Grand Slam performance came when she reached the last four at Roland Garros in 2015, losing to eventual champion Serena Williams. Her victory over Venus means a first-time major champion will be crowned next Saturday. (AFP)

French Open: Nadal motors on; Venus, Muguruza crash out

French Open title rivals Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic stormed into the last 32 on Wednesday, while women&#39;s defending champion Garbine Muguruza survived a second-round scare.

Nadal outclassed Dutchman Robin Haase 6-1, 6-4, 6-3 on Court Philippe Chatrier to continue his quest for an incredible 10th Roland Garros triumph.

&quot;I was more or less under control during the whole match, so I&#39;m very happy. Winning in straight sets is always good news,&quot; said Nadal.

&quot;I think I did a lot of things well this afternoon.&quot;

The Spaniard will face Nikoloz Basilashvili for a place in round four after the Georgian matched his best ever run at a Grand Slam.

Defending champion Djokovic battered Portugal&#39;s Joao Sousa 6-1, 6-4, 6-3 to make it four wins in as many meetings with the world number 59.

The second seed plays Argentina&#39;s Diego Schwartzman for a place in the last 16.

&quot;I think the first two sets went very well, the third was was more difficult,&quot; said Djokovic.

&quot;Generally, I felt better than the first round, so that&#39;s exactly what I wanted.&quot;

Sixth seed Dominic Thiem charged into round three with a routine win over Simone Bolelli, sweeping the Italian aside 7-5, 6-1, 6-3.

The Austrian, who is the only player to defeat Nadal on clay this season, will meet American 25th seed Steve Johnson next as he looks to build on last year&#39;s run to the semi-finals.

Milos Raonic, Grigor Dimitrov and David Goffin sailed through, but French hopes suffered a huge blow as 12th seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga crashed out to Renzo Olivo in his opening match.

Serving to stay in the contest when darkness halted their tie on Tuesday, Tsonga was broken immediately when play resumed as the Argentine world number 91 wrapped up a 7-5, 6-4, 6-7 (6/8), 6-4 win.

Reigning champion Muguruza survived another tough examination from 53rd-ranked Anett Kontaveit, who beat the Spaniard in Stuttgart last month.

Muguruza has endured a difficult 2017 and again found herself in trouble after falling a set and a break behind against the Estonian.

But the fourth seed recovered to claw out a 6-7 (4/7), 6-4, 6-2 win and book a third-round clash with Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan.

&quot;I knew it was going to be a battle out there,&quot; said Muguruza, who beat Serena Williams in last year&#39;s final.

&quot;I knew that losing to her not long ago I did something different this time. I think something different in a good way. So I won the match.

American qualifier Bethanie Mattek-Sands halted Petra Kvitova&#39;s comeback, defeating the popular Czech 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/5)&nbsp;in her first tournament since a horrifying knife attack in December.&nbsp;

&quot;I&#39;m disappointed, for sure. I came here to win the matches,&quot; said twice former Wimbledon champion Kvitova.

&quot;But I really fought. I mean, after the match, I didn&#39;t feel that bad as normally I probably do.

&quot;I&#39;m still happy I&#39;m here and playing. The fairytale ended. Now, in upcoming weeks, I think it will be business as usual.&quot;

Venus Williams shook off a slow start to ease into the third round with a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Japan&#39;s Kurumi Nara.

Williams, the 2002 runner-up who turns 37 next month, will play Belgium&#39;s Elise Mertens in the third round.

&quot;Do I sense (the draw) is open? I just am really focused on me and nothing&#39;s a given, or else I&#39;d win every match,&quot; said Venus, who has sister Serena in Paris supporting her.

Caroline Wozniacki dished out a chastening 6-0, 6-0 thrashing to Canadian qualifier Francoise Abanda in just 52 minutes.

The 20-year-old blamed the exertions of coming through three qualifying rounds in order to reach the main draw.&nbsp;

&quot;I wasn&#39;t impressed at all,&quot; Abanda retorted when asked if she was struck by anything in Wozniacki&#39;s game.

&quot;As I told you, fitness-wise and physically, I was tired.

&quot;I think that she played her second match. I played five matches.&quot;

Lucky loser Ons Jabeur of Tunisia stunned Slovak sixth seed Dominika Cibulkova 6-4, 6-3 to become the first Arab woman to reach the third round of a Grand Slam.

(AFP)

Meanwhile, defending champion on the women's side, Garbine Muguruza, struggled to win her second round match

French Open title rivals Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic stormed into the last 32 on Wednesday, while women's defending champion Garbine Muguruza survived a second-round scare. Nadal outclassed Dutchman Robin Haase 6-1, 6-4, 6-3 on Court Philippe Chatrier to continue his quest for an incredible 10th Roland Garros triumph. "I was more or less under control during the whole match, so I'm very happy. Winning in straight sets is always good news," said Nadal. "I think I did a lot of things well this afternoon." The Spaniard will face Nikoloz Basilashvili for a place in round four after the Georgian matched his best ever run at a Grand Slam. Defending champion Djokovic battered Portugal's Joao Sousa 6-1, 6-4, 6-3 to make it four wins in as many meetings with the world number 59. The second seed plays Argentina's Diego Schwartzman for a place in the last 16. "I think the first two sets went very well, the third was was more difficult," said Djokovic. "Generally, I felt better than the first round, so that's exactly what I wanted." Sixth seed Dominic Thiem charged into round three with a routine win over Simone Bolelli, sweeping the Italian aside 7-5, 6-1, 6-3. The Austrian, who is the only player to defeat Nadal on clay this season, will meet American 25th seed Steve Johnson next as he looks to build on last year's run to the semi-finals. Milos Raonic, Grigor Dimitrov and David Goffin sailed through, but French hopes suffered a huge blow as 12th seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga crashed out to Renzo Olivo in his opening match. Serving to stay in the contest when darkness halted their tie on Tuesday, Tsonga was broken immediately when play resumed as the Argentine world number 91 wrapped up a 7-5, 6-4, 6-7 (6/8), 6-4 win. Reigning champion Muguruza survived another tough examination from 53rd-ranked Anett Kontaveit, who beat the Spaniard in Stuttgart last month. Muguruza has endured a difficult 2017 and again found herself in trouble after falling a set and a break behind against the Estonian. But the fourth seed recovered to claw out a 6-7 (4/7), 6-4, 6-2 win and book a third-round clash with Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan. "I knew it was going to be a battle out there," said Muguruza, who beat Serena Williams in last year's final. "I knew that losing to her not long ago I did something different this time. I think something different in a good way. So I won the match. American qualifier Bethanie Mattek-Sands halted Petra Kvitova's comeback, defeating the popular Czech 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/5) in her first tournament since a horrifying knife attack in December. "I'm disappointed, for sure. I came here to win the matches," said twice former Wimbledon champion Kvitova. "But I really fought. I mean, after the match, I didn't feel that bad as normally I probably do. "I'm still happy I'm here and playing. The fairytale ended. Now, in upcoming weeks, I think it will be business as usual." Venus Williams shook off a slow start to ease into the third round with a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Japan's Kurumi Nara. Williams, the 2002 runner-up who turns 37 next month, will play Belgium's Elise Mertens in the third round. "Do I sense (the draw) is open? I just am really focused on me and nothing's a given, or else I'd win every match," said Venus, who has sister Serena in Paris supporting her. Caroline Wozniacki dished out a chastening 6-0, 6-0 thrashing to Canadian qualifier Francoise Abanda in just 52 minutes. The 20-year-old blamed the exertions of coming through three qualifying rounds in order to reach the main draw. "I wasn't impressed at all," Abanda retorted when asked if she was struck by anything in Wozniacki's game. "As I told you, fitness-wise and physically, I was tired. "I think that she played her second match. I played five matches." Lucky loser Ons Jabeur of Tunisia stunned Slovak sixth seed Dominika Cibulkova 6-4, 6-3 to become the first Arab woman to reach the third round of a Grand Slam. (AFP)

French Open: Nadal, Djokovic storm into round 3; Kvitova's fairytale over

Rafael Nadal launched his pursuit of a record 10th French Open title in convincing fashion, while defending champion Novak Djokovic eased to victory under the gaze of new coach Andre Agassi.

Reigning women&#39;s champion Garbine Muguruza began her Roland Garros defence with a straight-sets triumph over 2010 winner Francesca Schiavone.

Nadal, who was forced to withdraw before last year&#39;s third round with a wrist injury, brushed aside 45th-ranked Benoit Paire 6-1, 6-4, 6-1 inside two hours.

&quot;I&#39;m very happy to be back here after what happened last year. It&#39;s great to feel the support,&quot; said the 14-time major champion.

Nadal broke Frenchman Paire eight times and recovered from a slight second-set wobble when he dropped serve twice in a row to surge into a round two meeting with Dutchman Robin Haase.&nbsp;

&quot;It&#39;s always at the start, happy for the victory. Was not an easy opponent in the first round, obviously. He&#39;s an uncomfortable opponent that already he had some good victories this year,&quot; added Nadal.

Title-holder Djokovic strolled through his opener against Marcel Granollers of Spain, advancing 6-3, 6-4, 6-2.

With 1999 French Open champion Agassi in the players box for the first time after agreeing a short-term coaching role, Djokovic experienced some trouble against the world number 77, being broken four times.&nbsp;

&quot;It&#39;s great to have Andre Agassi as coach and as a mentor. I will try to learn as much as I can from him,&quot; said Djokovic.

The Serb, seeking to become the first man in the Open era to win all four majors on at least two occasions, will take on Portugal&#39;s Joao Sousa next.

&quot;Coming to this tournament for first time as a defending champion gave me, probably more than anything else, relief, because the anticipation and the pressure and expectations that I had also for myself but all the other people around me in the last three, four, five years before 2016 Roland Garros trophy was really big,&quot; added Djokovic.

&#39;Earn confidence&#39;&nbsp;

Muguruza&#39;s middling form this season saw her arrive in Paris with just three wins on clay, but the Spaniard dispatched former Paris champion Schiavone 6-2, 6-4.

The fourth seed will meet Estonia&#39;s Anett Kontaveit for a place in round three as Schiavone, who turns 37 in June, bid farewell to the tournament for possibly the final time.&nbsp;

&quot;I cannot believe in the first round we have two ex-champions. Not only that but Francesca is a legend and I was very excited to play on Philippe Chatrier court with her,&quot; said Muguruza.

&quot;I know I played good here before. That doesn&#39;t make me extra confident this year. I think I just have to earn that confidence here, and, like today, going out there, trying to deal with things. That&#39;s what brings me confidence. Not remembering how I played last year.&quot;

Muguruza defeated Serena Williams to win her maiden Grand Slam a year ago, but the 23-year-old needs to return to the final to stay in the world&#39;s top 10.

Second seed Karolina Pliskova won for just the third time in six visits to Roland Garros with a 7-5, 6-2 victory over China&#39;s Zheng Saisai.

Former French Open runners-up Sam Stosur and Sara Errani, the latter coming through qualifying, also moved into round two.

Canadian fifth seed Milos Raonic raced through with a routine 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 victory over Steve Darcis of Belgium.

Raonic fired 15 aces and 44 winners to book a meeting with Brazil&#39;s Rogerio Dutra Silva, who saved two match points before overcoming Mikhail Youzhny of Russia in five sets.

Former US Open champion Marin Cilic and Belgian 10th seed David Goffin also progressed, but American 14th seed Jack Sock was blown away in three sets by towering Czech left-hander Jiri Vesely.

Rising German star Alexander Zverev, seeded ninth, begins his campaign against veteran Spaniard Fernando Verdasco later.

The 20-year-old Zverev defeated Djokovic in Rome a week ago to become the first player born in the 1990s to land a Masters title.

(AFP)

1999 French Open champion Andre Agassi was in the players' box for the first time after agreeing a short-term coaching role with Novak Djokovic

Rafael Nadal launched his pursuit of a record 10th French Open title in convincing fashion, while defending champion Novak Djokovic eased to victory under the gaze of new coach Andre Agassi. Reigning women's champion Garbine Muguruza began her Roland Garros defence with a straight-sets triumph over 2010 winner Francesca Schiavone. Nadal, who was forced to withdraw before last year's third round with a wrist injury, brushed aside 45th-ranked Benoit Paire 6-1, 6-4, 6-1 inside two hours. "I'm very happy to be back here after what happened last year. It's great to feel the support," said the 14-time major champion. Nadal broke Frenchman Paire eight times and recovered from a slight second-set wobble when he dropped serve twice in a row to surge into a round two meeting with Dutchman Robin Haase. "It's always at the start, happy for the victory. Was not an easy opponent in the first round, obviously. He's an uncomfortable opponent that already he had some good victories this year," added Nadal. Title-holder Djokovic strolled through his opener against Marcel Granollers of Spain, advancing 6-3, 6-4, 6-2. With 1999 French Open champion Agassi in the players box for the first time after agreeing a short-term coaching role, Djokovic experienced some trouble against the world number 77, being broken four times. "It's great to have Andre Agassi as coach and as a mentor. I will try to learn as much as I can from him," said Djokovic. The Serb, seeking to become the first man in the Open era to win all four majors on at least two occasions, will take on Portugal's Joao Sousa next. "Coming to this tournament for first time as a defending champion gave me, probably more than anything else, relief, because the anticipation and the pressure and expectations that I had also for myself but all the other people around me in the last three, four, five years before 2016 Roland Garros trophy was really big," added Djokovic. 'Earn confidence' Muguruza's middling form this season saw her arrive in Paris with just three wins on clay, but the Spaniard dispatched former Paris champion Schiavone 6-2, 6-4. The fourth seed will meet Estonia's Anett Kontaveit for a place in round three as Schiavone, who turns 37 in June, bid farewell to the tournament for possibly the final time. "I cannot believe in the first round we have two ex-champions. Not only that but Francesca is a legend and I was very excited to play on Philippe Chatrier court with her," said Muguruza. "I know I played good here before. That doesn't make me extra confident this year. I think I just have to earn that confidence here, and, like today, going out there, trying to deal with things. That's what brings me confidence. Not remembering how I played last year." Muguruza defeated Serena Williams to win her maiden Grand Slam a year ago, but the 23-year-old needs to return to the final to stay in the world's top 10. Second seed Karolina Pliskova won for just the third time in six visits to Roland Garros with a 7-5, 6-2 victory over China's Zheng Saisai. Former French Open runners-up Sam Stosur and Sara Errani, the latter coming through qualifying, also moved into round two. Canadian fifth seed Milos Raonic raced through with a routine 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 victory over Steve Darcis of Belgium. Raonic fired 15 aces and 44 winners to book a meeting with Brazil's Rogerio Dutra Silva, who saved two match points before overcoming Mikhail Youzhny of Russia in five sets. Former US Open champion Marin Cilic and Belgian 10th seed David Goffin also progressed, but American 14th seed Jack Sock was blown away in three sets by towering Czech left-hander Jiri Vesely. Rising German star Alexander Zverev, seeded ninth, begins his campaign against veteran Spaniard Fernando Verdasco later. The 20-year-old Zverev defeated Djokovic in Rome a week ago to become the first player born in the 1990s to land a Masters title. (AFP)

French Open: Nadal, Djokovic sail into round 2

Defending champion Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal were drawn to face each other in a blockbuster&nbsp;French&nbsp;Open&nbsp;semi-final on Friday.

Nadal is chasing a 10th title at Roland Garros while second seed Djokovic, working with new coach Andre Agassi, is looking to defend the only major he still holds.

&quot;Rafa is the number one favourite,&quot; said Djokovic.

World number one Andy Murray is seeded to face 2015 champion Stan Wawrinka in the last four.

Murray starts against Russia&#39;s world number 85 Andrey Kuznetsov, Djokovic tackles Spanish clay courter Marcel Granollers while Nadal meets combustible Frenchman Benoit Paire.

Murray could face dangerous Juan Martin del Potro in the third round.

Injury-plagued del Potro, who lost to Murray in the 2016 Olympics final, is playing Roland Garros for the first time since 2012.

If the seedings work out, 2016 runner-up Murray, who is reportedly suffering from an illness, would face Japan&#39;s Kei Nishikori in the last eight.

The other quarter-finals would see Wawrinka meet 2014 US&nbsp;Open&nbsp;champion Marin Cilic, Nadal would meet Canada&#39;s Milos Raonic while Djokovic could take on Dominic Thiem.

Djokovic demolished highly-regarded Austrian Thiem for the loss of just one game in the Rome Masters semi-finals last week.

The 30-year-old Nadal has already reached the magical 10 titles number this year at the claycourt events in Monte Carlo and Barcelona.

For good measure, he also won Madrid for a fifth time, ending a seven-match losing streak, stretching back over two years against Djokovic in the process.

Nadal boasts a sensational career record at Roland Garros -- 72 wins and just two defeats, to Djokovic in 2015 and an injury-affected shock loss to Robin Soderling in 2009.

&#39;No magic pattern&#39;&nbsp;

On clay this year, Djokovic has been on an upward curve -- quarter-finals in Monte Carlo, semi-finals in Madrid and a runners-up spot in Rome where he was comprehensively demolished by Alexander Zverev.

&quot;It was one of my last dreams in terms of tournaments that I wanted to win here,&quot; said Djokovic at the draw on Friday.

&quot;It was missing from my list so I ticked it off and got the full set of Grand Slams.&quot;

Murray has endured a wretched season by his standards with an elbow injury not helping his cause.

He lost in the third round in Monte Carlo, made the semis in Barcelona, was a third-round loser in Madrid before an opening defeat in Rome to Fabio Fognini.

Zverev faces Spanish veteran Fernando Verdasco first up, Thiem tackles Bernard Tomic of Australia while fellow &#39;NextGen&#39; star Nick Kyrgios faces Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany.

Nishikori, yet to get past the quarter-finals in Paris, begins against 21-year-old Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis.

In the women&#39;s draw, top seed Angelique Kerber starts against experienced Russian Ekaterina Makarova in the first round.

Kerber is due to face defending champion Garbine Muguruza of Spain in the semi-finals.

&quot;I am super-excited to be here. I am preparing the best I can but there is no magic pattern,&quot; said Muguruza who comes into the tournament having suffered a neck injury in Rome last week.

Muguruza has a tough opener against former champion Francesca Schiavone.

Second seed Karolina Plisova was drawn to face 2014 runner-up Simona Halep in the semi-finals but will start against Zheng Saisai of China.

Halep has an ankle injury and described her chances of making Roland Garros as &quot;50-50&quot; earlier this week.

The women&#39;s event is regarded as being wide&nbsp;open&nbsp;with Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka all absent.

If the seedings works out, Kerber will face former champion Svetlana Kuznetsova in the last eight with Muguruza against Dominika Cibulkova.

Elina Svitolina would face Halep, who she defeated in the Rome final, while Britain&#39;s Johanna Konta would be Pliskova&#39;s last-eight rival.

(AFP)

World number one Andy Murray, meanwhile, has a potential third round against Juan Martin del Potro

Defending champion Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal were drawn to face each other in a blockbuster French Open semi-final on Friday. Nadal is chasing a 10th title at Roland Garros while second seed Djokovic, working with new coach Andre Agassi, is looking to defend the only major he still holds. "Rafa is the number one favourite," said Djokovic. World number one Andy Murray is seeded to face 2015 champion Stan Wawrinka in the last four. Murray starts against Russia's world number 85 Andrey Kuznetsov, Djokovic tackles Spanish clay courter Marcel Granollers while Nadal meets combustible Frenchman Benoit Paire. Murray could face dangerous Juan Martin del Potro in the third round. Injury-plagued del Potro, who lost to Murray in the 2016 Olympics final, is playing Roland Garros for the first time since 2012. If the seedings work out, 2016 runner-up Murray, who is reportedly suffering from an illness, would face Japan's Kei Nishikori in the last eight. The other quarter-finals would see Wawrinka meet 2014 US Open champion Marin Cilic, Nadal would meet Canada's Milos Raonic while Djokovic could take on Dominic Thiem. Djokovic demolished highly-regarded Austrian Thiem for the loss of just one game in the Rome Masters semi-finals last week. The 30-year-old Nadal has already reached the magical 10 titles number this year at the claycourt events in Monte Carlo and Barcelona. For good measure, he also won Madrid for a fifth time, ending a seven-match losing streak, stretching back over two years against Djokovic in the process. Nadal boasts a sensational career record at Roland Garros -- 72 wins and just two defeats, to Djokovic in 2015 and an injury-affected shock loss to Robin Soderling in 2009. 'No magic pattern' On clay this year, Djokovic has been on an upward curve -- quarter-finals in Monte Carlo, semi-finals in Madrid and a runners-up spot in Rome where he was comprehensively demolished by Alexander Zverev. "It was one of my last dreams in terms of tournaments that I wanted to win here," said Djokovic at the draw on Friday. "It was missing from my list so I ticked it off and got the full set of Grand Slams." Murray has endured a wretched season by his standards with an elbow injury not helping his cause. He lost in the third round in Monte Carlo, made the semis in Barcelona, was a third-round loser in Madrid before an opening defeat in Rome to Fabio Fognini. Zverev faces Spanish veteran Fernando Verdasco first up, Thiem tackles Bernard Tomic of Australia while fellow 'NextGen' star Nick Kyrgios faces Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany. Nishikori, yet to get past the quarter-finals in Paris, begins against 21-year-old Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis. In the women's draw, top seed Angelique Kerber starts against experienced Russian Ekaterina Makarova in the first round. Kerber is due to face defending champion Garbine Muguruza of Spain in the semi-finals. "I am super-excited to be here. I am preparing the best I can but there is no magic pattern," said Muguruza who comes into the tournament having suffered a neck injury in Rome last week. Muguruza has a tough opener against former champion Francesca Schiavone. Second seed Karolina Plisova was drawn to face 2014 runner-up Simona Halep in the semi-finals but will start against Zheng Saisai of China. Halep has an ankle injury and described her chances of making Roland Garros as "50-50" earlier this week. The women's event is regarded as being wide open with Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka all absent. If the seedings works out, Kerber will face former champion Svetlana Kuznetsova in the last eight with Muguruza against Dominika Cibulkova. Elina Svitolina would face Halep, who she defeated in the Rome final, while Britain's Johanna Konta would be Pliskova's last-eight rival. (AFP)

French Open draw: Nadal, Djokovic set on collision course

Austria&#39;s Dominic Thiem sent Rafael&nbsp;Nadal&nbsp;crashing out of the Rome Masters on Friday with a 6-4, 6-3 quarter-final victory, ending the Spaniard&#39;s 17-match winning run.

Nadal, a former seven-time champion in the Italian capital, had dominated Thiem to win the Madrid Masters final last week.

But the 30-year-old, seeded fourth in Rome and building up for an assault on a 10th French Open title, was outplayed throughout a thrilling encounter on centre court.

Thiem, the eighth seed, will now meet the winner of the quarter-final clash between four-time winner Novak Djokovic, seeded second, and unseeded Argentinian Juan Martin del Potro.

That tie was suspended for the night after torrential rain swept the city. Four-time Djokovic was leading 6-1, 1-2 when play was halted.

Nadal, meanwhile, said he intends to have a free weekend before ramping up his preparations for Roland Garros from Monday.

&quot;Tomorrow I&#39;ll be in Mallorca fishing or playing golf, or another thing. I&#39;m going to rest a little bit, I think I deserve it,&quot; said&nbsp;Nadal.

&quot;Then from Monday and Tuesday I will start to prepare for Roland Garros. It&#39;s an important event for me.

&quot;If you do things well, you have more chances in Roland Garros. I hope to play my best tennis in Roland Garros.&quot;

Nadal, given a first round bye, played only three games of his second round match with Nicolas Almagro before his unseeded compatriot retired injured on Wednesday.

The 30-year-old made amends for his comparative lack of playing time with a 6-3, 6-4 win over American Jack Sock on Thursday.

But from the outset against Thiem, who had also lost to the Spanish star in Barcelona,&nbsp;Nadal&nbsp;looked in trouble.

The Austrian&#39;s serve, precision and movement were near flawless and soon had&nbsp;Nadal&nbsp;hitting shots wide of the mark.

As the centre court crowd steadily got behind the 23-year-old upstart,&nbsp;Nadal&#39;s confidence waned.&nbsp;

Thiem, who has a 17-3 record on clay this year, will now look to reach his fourth final of 2017.

However, he is 0-4 in career meetings with Djokovic and 0-2 against del Potro.

&quot;It&#39;s a very tough situation in tennis. I mean, you have a big win, and the next day there is Djokovic or Del Potro waiting,&quot; said Thiem after his second victory in six meetings against&nbsp;Nadal, adding to his 2016 Argentina Open semi-final win.

&quot;It remains very, very difficult. But they are both unbelievable, big players. I think it&#39;s going to be a tough match between them today. Whoever wins, I have to take on tomorrow.&quot;

German 20-year-old Alexander Zverev reached his first Masters semi-final with a 7-6 (7/4), 6-1 victory over Canadian fifth seed Milos Raonic.

Zverev will face unseeded John Isner, 12 years his senior, after the giant American clinched a 7-6 (7/3), 2-6, 7-6 (7/2) win over Croatian sixth seed Marin Cilic.

&quot;It&#39;s another stepping stone in my career,&quot; said Zverev.&nbsp;

In the WTA event, Romanian sixth seed Simona Halep and Dutchwoman Kiki Bertens will face off in the semi-finals on Saturday.

Halep, the champion in Madrid last week, surged into the last four for the third time after a 6-2, 6-4 win over Estonian qualifier Anett Kontaveit.

Halep, who reached the French Open final in 2014, now meets Bertens after the 15th seed, ranked 20th in the world, ousted Australian qualifier Daria Gavrilova 6-3, 6-3.

In the other semi-final French Open champion Garbine Muguruza of Spain meets Elina Svitolina, who stunned Czech second seed Karolina Pliskova 6-2, 7-6 (11/9).

Muguruza overcame a second-set fightback from Venus Williams to prevail 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 against the American, seeded ninth.

(AFP)

The Austrian beat nine-time French Open champion in two tough sets

Austria's Dominic Thiem sent Rafael Nadal crashing out of the Rome Masters on Friday with a 6-4, 6-3 quarter-final victory, ending the Spaniard's 17-match winning run. Nadal, a former seven-time champion in the Italian capital, had dominated Thiem to win the Madrid Masters final last week. But the 30-year-old, seeded fourth in Rome and building up for an assault on a 10th French Open title, was outplayed throughout a thrilling encounter on centre court. Thiem, the eighth seed, will now meet the winner of the quarter-final clash between four-time winner Novak Djokovic, seeded second, and unseeded Argentinian Juan Martin del Potro. That tie was suspended for the night after torrential rain swept the city. Four-time Djokovic was leading 6-1, 1-2 when play was halted. Nadal, meanwhile, said he intends to have a free weekend before ramping up his preparations for Roland Garros from Monday. "Tomorrow I'll be in Mallorca fishing or playing golf, or another thing. I'm going to rest a little bit, I think I deserve it," said Nadal. "Then from Monday and Tuesday I will start to prepare for Roland Garros. It's an important event for me. "If you do things well, you have more chances in Roland Garros. I hope to play my best tennis in Roland Garros." Nadal, given a first round bye, played only three games of his second round match with Nicolas Almagro before his unseeded compatriot retired injured on Wednesday. The 30-year-old made amends for his comparative lack of playing time with a 6-3, 6-4 win over American Jack Sock on Thursday. But from the outset against Thiem, who had also lost to the Spanish star in Barcelona, Nadal looked in trouble. The Austrian's serve, precision and movement were near flawless and soon had Nadal hitting shots wide of the mark. As the centre court crowd steadily got behind the 23-year-old upstart, Nadal's confidence waned. Thiem, who has a 17-3 record on clay this year, will now look to reach his fourth final of 2017. However, he is 0-4 in career meetings with Djokovic and 0-2 against del Potro. "It's a very tough situation in tennis. I mean, you have a big win, and the next day there is Djokovic or Del Potro waiting," said Thiem after his second victory in six meetings against Nadal, adding to his 2016 Argentina Open semi-final win. "It remains very, very difficult. But they are both unbelievable, big players. I think it's going to be a tough match between them today. Whoever wins, I have to take on tomorrow." German 20-year-old Alexander Zverev reached his first Masters semi-final with a 7-6 (7/4), 6-1 victory over Canadian fifth seed Milos Raonic. Zverev will face unseeded John Isner, 12 years his senior, after the giant American clinched a 7-6 (7/3), 2-6, 7-6 (7/2) win over Croatian sixth seed Marin Cilic. "It's another stepping stone in my career," said Zverev. In the WTA event, Romanian sixth seed Simona Halep and Dutchwoman Kiki Bertens will face off in the semi-finals on Saturday. Halep, the champion in Madrid last week, surged into the last four for the third time after a 6-2, 6-4 win over Estonian qualifier Anett Kontaveit. Halep, who reached the French Open final in 2014, now meets Bertens after the 15th seed, ranked 20th in the world, ousted Australian qualifier Daria Gavrilova 6-3, 6-3. In the other semi-final French Open champion Garbine Muguruza of Spain meets Elina Svitolina, who stunned Czech second seed Karolina Pliskova 6-2, 7-6 (11/9). Muguruza overcame a second-set fightback from Venus Williams to prevail 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 against the American, seeded ninth. (AFP)

Rome Masters: Red-hot Thiem hands Nadal first defeat on clay this year

Rafael&nbsp;Nadal&nbsp;beat David Goffin 6-3, 6-1 on Saturday in a controversial semi-final at the Monte Carlo Masters to put himself on the brink of a 10th title at the clay court showpiece.

The 30-year-old defending champion will face Spanish compatriot Albert Ramos-Vinolas, who defeated Lucas Pouille 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, in Sunday&#39;s final.

Nadal&nbsp;is also chasing his first ATP title since last April in Barcelona and the 70th of his career.

&quot;It&#39;s tough to believe that I am again in a final here, it is unbelievable news for me,&quot;&nbsp;Nadal&nbsp;said. &quot;It&#39;s another great event.&nbsp;

&quot;I&#39;m be able to start the clay court season playing a final in one of the most important events of the year. Personally, it&#39;s a very special place for me. It&#39;s something that makes me feel very happy. Very excited about it.&quot;

Nadal&nbsp;has beaten 29-year-old Ramos-Vinolas in their two previous clashes, both times on clay in Barcelona.

&quot;He&#39;s playing better than ever, he&#39;s winning huge matches during the whole week,&quot; said&nbsp;Nadal&nbsp;of his next opponent.&nbsp;

&quot;He&#39;s playing with big confidence, with great spirit of fight, overcoming tough situations in every match, and playing a high level of tennis all the time.

&quot;I know that I need to be at my best to keep having chances, to fight for another title here. That&#39;s what I am looking for.&quot;

However, Saturday&#39;s semi-final turned on a controversial incident in the first set, when the chair umpire may have missed a ball mark and ended up awarding&nbsp;Nadal&nbsp;a point which denied Goffin a 4-2 lead in the opener.

The crowd turning against him,&nbsp;Nadal&nbsp;was the subject of whistles and jeers while the heart went out of Goffin who had made the semi-finals by seeing off world number two Novak Djokovic on Friday.

&quot;When the umpire goes down and says the ball is good, what I can say? No, the ball is out?&quot;&nbsp;Nadal&nbsp;said. &quot;That&#39;s why there is an umpire there.&nbsp;

&quot;If the ball is on my side, I see the ball is in, I give the ball to the other side? This (booing) for me is sometimes sad, especially in a place that I had a lot of success, in a place that I love. Sometimes that happens.&quot;

Ramos-Vinolas, the 15th seed who had knocked out number one Andy Murray and Marin Cilic, had never before even reached a Masters 1000 semi-final.

&quot;To play Rafa, you never know. If he plays unbelievable, he&#39;s going to beat you,&quot; Ramos-Vinolas said.&nbsp;

&quot;I have more confidence. It&#39;s impossible to negate that. Since Roland Garros (2016) maybe, I&#39;m playing better. In South America (February) I did a final, two semi-finals, one quarter-final.&nbsp;

&quot;The results are going better.&quot;

The Spaniard, who saved seven of nine break points, had come to the principality with only three previous victories from 29 matches against top 10 opponents.&nbsp;

(AFP)

Nadal, aiming for his tenth title in the principality, will face giant-slayer Albert Ramos-Vinolas in the summit clash

Rafael Nadal beat David Goffin 6-3, 6-1 on Saturday in a controversial semi-final at the Monte Carlo Masters to put himself on the brink of a 10th title at the clay court showpiece. The 30-year-old defending champion will face Spanish compatriot Albert Ramos-Vinolas, who defeated Lucas Pouille 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, in Sunday's final. Nadal is also chasing his first ATP title since last April in Barcelona and the 70th of his career. "It's tough to believe that I am again in a final here, it is unbelievable news for me," Nadal said. "It's another great event. "I'm be able to start the clay court season playing a final in one of the most important events of the year. Personally, it's a very special place for me. It's something that makes me feel very happy. Very excited about it." Nadal has beaten 29-year-old Ramos-Vinolas in their two previous clashes, both times on clay in Barcelona. "He's playing better than ever, he's winning huge matches during the whole week," said Nadal of his next opponent. "He's playing with big confidence, with great spirit of fight, overcoming tough situations in every match, and playing a high level of tennis all the time. "I know that I need to be at my best to keep having chances, to fight for another title here. That's what I am looking for." However, Saturday's semi-final turned on a controversial incident in the first set, when the chair umpire may have missed a ball mark and ended up awarding Nadal a point which denied Goffin a 4-2 lead in the opener. The crowd turning against him, Nadal was the subject of whistles and jeers while the heart went out of Goffin who had made the semi-finals by seeing off world number two Novak Djokovic on Friday. "When the umpire goes down and says the ball is good, what I can say? No, the ball is out?" Nadal said. "That's why there is an umpire there. "If the ball is on my side, I see the ball is in, I give the ball to the other side? This (booing) for me is sometimes sad, especially in a place that I had a lot of success, in a place that I love. Sometimes that happens." Ramos-Vinolas, the 15th seed who had knocked out number one Andy Murray and Marin Cilic, had never before even reached a Masters 1000 semi-final. "To play Rafa, you never know. If he plays unbelievable, he's going to beat you," Ramos-Vinolas said. "I have more confidence. It's impossible to negate that. Since Roland Garros (2016) maybe, I'm playing better. In South America (February) I did a final, two semi-finals, one quarter-final. "The results are going better." The Spaniard, who saved seven of nine break points, had come to the principality with only three previous victories from 29 matches against top 10 opponents. (AFP)

Monte Carlo: Nadal battles boos and Goffin to enter final

Roger Federer, fresh from winning his third title of the year in Miami, said Sunday he will take a nearly two-month break from the sport before returning for the French Open in late May.

Federer has won the Australian Open, Indian Wells and Miami since coming back from a six-month injury lay-off and he said he won&rsquo;t be playing clay court events including Masters series events in Monte Carlo, Madrid and Rome.

&quot;I&#39;m not 24 any more so things have changed in a big way and I probably won&#39;t play any clay court event except the French. That is what it is going to look like, I need rest, my body needs healing, I need time as well to prepare, you will probably see me at the French again,&quot; he told ESPN in an on-court interview.

&quot;I want to stay healthy and enjoy myself. Because when I am healthy and feeling good, I can produce tennis like this, when I am not feeling this good there is no chance I will be in the finals competing with Rafa.

&quot;That is why this break coming now in the clay court season and focusing everything now on the French, the grass and then the hard courts after that is going to be the key for me,&quot; he added.

Federer beat Nadal in straight sets in the Miami final on Sunday.

(AFP)

The world number four will take a nearly two-month break by skipping all Masters events on clay

Roger Federer, fresh from winning his third title of the year in Miami, said Sunday he will take a nearly two-month break from the sport before returning for the French Open in late May. Federer has won the Australian Open, Indian Wells and Miami since coming back from a six-month injury lay-off and he said he won’t be playing clay court events including Masters series events in Monte Carlo, Madrid and Rome. "I'm not 24 any more so things have changed in a big way and I probably won't play any clay court event except the French. That is what it is going to look like, I need rest, my body needs healing, I need time as well to prepare, you will probably see me at the French again," he told ESPN in an on-court interview. "I want to stay healthy and enjoy myself. Because when I am healthy and feeling good, I can produce tennis like this, when I am not feeling this good there is no chance I will be in the finals competing with Rafa. "That is why this break coming now in the clay court season and focusing everything now on the French, the grass and then the hard courts after that is going to be the key for me," he added. Federer beat Nadal in straight sets in the Miami final on Sunday. (AFP)

Federer to skip nearly two months, will return for French Open

Roger Federer defeated long-standing rival Rafael Nadal 6-3, 6-4 to win the Miami Open on Sunday and continue his outstanding start to the year.

Since returning from his six month injury lay-off, the 35-year-old Federer has also won the Australian Open and Indian Wells and he heads into the clay season as, once again, the dominant presence on the ATP Tour.

Federer has beaten Nadal in all of those events this year and has now won his last four meetings between the pair.&nbsp;

The Spaniard was playing in his fifth Miami final but remains without a win in the Masters series event.

The first set was a tight affair with both players having their opportunities to break but it was not until the eighth game and 10th break point of the set that one of them was able to get ahead.

Nadal could only find the net from a Federer backhand and the Swiss grabbed a 5-3 lead and he comfortably held the next game to secure the first set.

There has always been a marked contrast between Federer and Nadal&#39;s differing styles and with time it has become further accentuated.

Nadal was working hard in the 83 degrees afternoon heat, thrusting himself into his shots while the elegant Federer&#39;s poise appeared almost casual.&nbsp;

The second set took an almost identical path, albeit with fewer openings to break for both players until Federer again pounced, to grab a 5-4 lead when Nadal went long returning a fine backhand.

(AFP)

Federer overwhelmed Nadal 6-3, 6-4 in just under two hours to claim an impressive win

Roger Federer defeated long-standing rival Rafael Nadal 6-3, 6-4 to win the Miami Open on Sunday and continue his outstanding start to the year. Since returning from his six month injury lay-off, the 35-year-old Federer has also won the Australian Open and Indian Wells and he heads into the clay season as, once again, the dominant presence on the ATP Tour. Federer has beaten Nadal in all of those events this year and has now won his last four meetings between the pair. The Spaniard was playing in his fifth Miami final but remains without a win in the Masters series event. The first set was a tight affair with both players having their opportunities to break but it was not until the eighth game and 10th break point of the set that one of them was able to get ahead. Nadal could only find the net from a Federer backhand and the Swiss grabbed a 5-3 lead and he comfortably held the next game to secure the first set. There has always been a marked contrast between Federer and Nadal's differing styles and with time it has become further accentuated. Nadal was working hard in the 83 degrees afternoon heat, thrusting himself into his shots while the elegant Federer's poise appeared almost casual. The second set took an almost identical path, albeit with fewer openings to break for both players until Federer again pounced, to grab a 5-4 lead when Nadal went long returning a fine backhand. (AFP)

Federer downs Nadal to lift Miami Masters

Rafael Nadal cruised past Israeli Dudi Sela in the second round of the Miami Open on Friday while Kei Nishikori and Milos Raonic also enjoyed comfortable victories as the top seeds got underway.

But there was an upset for ninth-seeded Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, who was beaten by 158th ranked Argentine Guido Pella, and for France&rsquo;s 11th seeded Lucas Pouille who was defeated by American Donald Young, ranked 51st in the world.

With plenty of backing from the South Florida crowd, Nadal never looked in trouble against the 83rd ranked Sela as he ran out 6-3, 6-4 winner in one hour and 20 minutes.

Rain delays earlier in the day pushed back Nadal&#39;s appearance on court and gusty conditions also made it tricky for the former world number one.

&quot;It has been very tough and long day for everyone I think. Rain delay a couple of times and then the wind was very, very high,&quot; he said. &quot;So it was difficult to find the right feelings but on these kind of days what you have to do is try to win. That&#39;s what I did, and I am very happy with that.&quot;

The Spaniard is looking to win his first Miami title after losing in the final four times in his career.

&quot;I was close enough four times in my career. I am going to try to give myself more chances during this year and during the next couple years. But this tournament is a tough tournament and anything can happen,&quot; he added.

Japanese second seed Nishikori beat big-serving South African Kevin Anderson 6-4, 6-3 on center court and will face Fernando Verdasco of Spain.

Nishikori eyes breakthrough&nbsp;

Nishikori, beaten by Novak Djokovic in last year&#39;s Miami final, didn&#39;t face a break point in the contest and won 88 per cent of his first-serve points.

The 27-year-old said he was looking to make a breakthrough in one of the slams this year and believes a win in Miami could give him the boost in belief that he needs.

&quot;I think if I can win big tournaments like this or some Masters, that&#39;s going to give me a lot of confidence for sure. That&#39;s my next goal, to win the big tournaments,&quot; he said.

&quot;But I think I&#39;m on the right track. I think last year was very solid year. I fought through the whole year without too much injury ... I learned many things from last year,&quot; Nishikori added.

Canada&#39;s Raonic was returning from almost a month on the sidelines due to a right leg injury and enjoyed a 6-3, 7-5 victory over Serbia&rsquo;s Viktor Troicki. The Canadian was in charge of the opening set and at 3-1 up in the second, it looked all over but Troicki forced things back to level at 5-5 before Raonic got the crucial break.

Intermittent rain and high winds made it tough at times for both players but Raonic said he was glad to get back on court.

&quot;Conditions obviously weren&#39;t ideal but I have to be very happy with just the outcome,&quot; he said adding he was still not in the best shape physically.

&quot;But I&#39;ve put in the work that I can, I have prepared the best I can for this tournament and while I&#39;m not necessarily in the best position right now, fortunately it is a long tournament,&quot; he said.

Dimitrov made 38 unforced errors in his loss to Pella, who showed some great flair from the baseline. Although the Argentine wobbled with a double fault on his first match point up 6-3 in the second-set tie-break, Dimitrov&#39;s backhand on the next point was wide and handed the 26-year-old the win.

Young continued his excellent form with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Pouille. The American, who reached the round of 16 at Indian Wells, where he also beat the Frenchman, is now &nbsp;12-5 in 2017. He&#39;ll play another Frenchman, Benoit Paire, who beat 21st seed Pablo Cuevas, in the next round.

(AFP)

France?s 11th seeded Lucas Pouille was the other big casualty after he lost to Donald Young

Rafael Nadal cruised past Israeli Dudi Sela in the second round of the Miami Open on Friday while Kei Nishikori and Milos Raonic also enjoyed comfortable victories as the top seeds got underway. But there was an upset for ninth-seeded Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, who was beaten by 158th ranked Argentine Guido Pella, and for France’s 11th seeded Lucas Pouille who was defeated by American Donald Young, ranked 51st in the world. With plenty of backing from the South Florida crowd, Nadal never looked in trouble against the 83rd ranked Sela as he ran out 6-3, 6-4 winner in one hour and 20 minutes. Rain delays earlier in the day pushed back Nadal's appearance on court and gusty conditions also made it tricky for the former world number one. "It has been very tough and long day for everyone I think. Rain delay a couple of times and then the wind was very, very high," he said. "So it was difficult to find the right feelings but on these kind of days what you have to do is try to win. That's what I did, and I am very happy with that." The Spaniard is looking to win his first Miami title after losing in the final four times in his career. "I was close enough four times in my career. I am going to try to give myself more chances during this year and during the next couple years. But this tournament is a tough tournament and anything can happen," he added. Japanese second seed Nishikori beat big-serving South African Kevin Anderson 6-4, 6-3 on center court and will face Fernando Verdasco of Spain. Nishikori eyes breakthrough Nishikori, beaten by Novak Djokovic in last year's Miami final, didn't face a break point in the contest and won 88 per cent of his first-serve points. The 27-year-old said he was looking to make a breakthrough in one of the slams this year and believes a win in Miami could give him the boost in belief that he needs. "I think if I can win big tournaments like this or some Masters, that's going to give me a lot of confidence for sure. That's my next goal, to win the big tournaments," he said. "But I think I'm on the right track. I think last year was very solid year. I fought through the whole year without too much injury ... I learned many things from last year," Nishikori added. Canada's Raonic was returning from almost a month on the sidelines due to a right leg injury and enjoyed a 6-3, 7-5 victory over Serbia’s Viktor Troicki. The Canadian was in charge of the opening set and at 3-1 up in the second, it looked all over but Troicki forced things back to level at 5-5 before Raonic got the crucial break. Intermittent rain and high winds made it tough at times for both players but Raonic said he was glad to get back on court. "Conditions obviously weren't ideal but I have to be very happy with just the outcome," he said adding he was still not in the best shape physically. "But I've put in the work that I can, I have prepared the best I can for this tournament and while I'm not necessarily in the best position right now, fortunately it is a long tournament," he said. Dimitrov made 38 unforced errors in his loss to Pella, who showed some great flair from the baseline. Although the Argentine wobbled with a double fault on his first match point up 6-3 in the second-set tie-break, Dimitrov's backhand on the next point was wide and handed the 26-year-old the win. Young continued his excellent form with a 6-2, 6-4 win over Pouille. The American, who reached the round of 16 at Indian Wells, where he also beat the Frenchman, is now 12-5 in 2017. He'll play another Frenchman, Benoit Paire, who beat 21st seed Pablo Cuevas, in the next round. (AFP)

Miami Masters: Nadal, Nishikori through to next round; Dimitrov loses

Rafael Nadal did his part to set up a fourth-round clash with Roger Federer at the ATP Indian Wells Masters on Tuesday, powering past Fernando Verdasco 6-3, 7-5.

Nadal&#39;s victory marked the second straight year he has vanquished his fellow Spaniard in the third round at Indian Wells.

Federer, who beat Nadal in a five-set thriller to lift his 18th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open six weeks ago, faced American Steve Johnson later Tuesday for a chance to set up the rematch.

He and Nadal have faced each other 35 times in a celebrated rivalry, but they haven&#39;t met before the quarter-finals of a tournament since their first meeting in the round of 32 at Miami in 2004.

Their star-studded quarter of the draw also features five-time Indian Wells champion Novak Djokovic, the second seed who faced a tough third-round clash with Argentine Juan Martin del Potro under the Stadium Court lights.

While Djokovic has won 12 of their 16 career meetings, del Potro has produced some big wins in the series, including a first-round triumph en route to a silver medal at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics last year.

Djokovic avenged that defeat with a three-round victory in Acapulco this month.

&quot;I have to give it my all,&quot; said Djokovic of the task ahead. &quot;That&#39;s what it takes to beat this guy. Even though he is not ranked as high and he hasn&#39;t played that many tournaments (he was) definitely one of the best players in the world last year, especially in the second part of the year, winning Davis Cup, silver medal for his country &ndash; beating myself &ndash; and Wawrinka at Wimbledon.

With the loaded bottom quarter the focus of attention, fourth-seeded Kei Nishikori of Japan quietly advanced to the fourth round with a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Gilles Muller of Luxembourg.

Nishikori booked a date with unseeded American Donald Young, who ousted 14th-seeded Lucas Pouille of France 6-4, 1-6, 6-3.

Despite two &quot;horrible&quot; games, Nadal was pleased with his overall effort against Verdasco, a left-hander like himself who has pushed him in the past.

&quot;I played a good match -- very aggressive with my serve, serving well, hitting good forehands, good backhands.

&quot;I think I played much better today than the first day. I played two horrible games, terrible. That&#39;s it. For the rest of the match I think I played very well.&quot;

The blip came after Nadal had broken for a 2-1 lead in the second set. He was promptly broken to love himself, Then Verdasco held with a love game.

But Nadal gained the break he needed for a 6-5 lead in a game Verdasco book-ended with double faults, and served it out without a hitch. 
 
(AFP)

Nadal's victory marked the second straight year he has vanquished his fellow Spaniard in the third round at Indian Wells

Rafael Nadal did his part to set up a fourth-round clash with Roger Federer at the ATP Indian Wells Masters on Tuesday, powering past Fernando Verdasco 6-3, 7-5. Nadal's victory marked the second straight year he has vanquished his fellow Spaniard in the third round at Indian Wells. Federer, who beat Nadal in a five-set thriller to lift his 18th Grand Slam title at the Australian Open six weeks ago, faced American Steve Johnson later Tuesday for a chance to set up the rematch. He and Nadal have faced each other 35 times in a celebrated rivalry, but they haven't met before the quarter-finals of a tournament since their first meeting in the round of 32 at Miami in 2004. Their star-studded quarter of the draw also features five-time Indian Wells champion Novak Djokovic, the second seed who faced a tough third-round clash with Argentine Juan Martin del Potro under the Stadium Court lights. While Djokovic has won 12 of their 16 career meetings, del Potro has produced some big wins in the series, including a first-round triumph en route to a silver medal at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics last year. Djokovic avenged that defeat with a three-round victory in Acapulco this month. "I have to give it my all," said Djokovic of the task ahead. "That's what it takes to beat this guy. Even though he is not ranked as high and he hasn't played that many tournaments (he was) definitely one of the best players in the world last year, especially in the second part of the year, winning Davis Cup, silver medal for his country – beating myself – and Wawrinka at Wimbledon. With the loaded bottom quarter the focus of attention, fourth-seeded Kei Nishikori of Japan quietly advanced to the fourth round with a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Gilles Muller of Luxembourg. Nishikori booked a date with unseeded American Donald Young, who ousted 14th-seeded Lucas Pouille of France 6-4, 1-6, 6-3. Despite two "horrible" games, Nadal was pleased with his overall effort against Verdasco, a left-hander like himself who has pushed him in the past. "I played a good match -- very aggressive with my serve, serving well, hitting good forehands, good backhands. "I think I played much better today than the first day. I played two horrible games, terrible. That's it. For the rest of the match I think I played very well." The blip came after Nadal had broken for a 2-1 lead in the second set. He was promptly broken to love himself, Then Verdasco held with a love game. But Nadal gained the break he needed for a 6-5 lead in a game Verdasco book-ended with double faults, and served it out without a hitch. (AFP)

Rafael Nadal powers past Verdasco to reach last 16 at Indian Wells

A &quot;solid&quot; effort saw three-time champion Rafael Nadal safely through to the third round of the ATP Indian Wells Masters on Sunday with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Guido Pella.

French Open champion Garbine Muguruza battled past tenacious teenager Kayla Day 3-6, 7-5, 6-2 on Sunday to reach the fourth round of the Indian Wells WTA hard court tournament.

The seventh seed from Spain next faces Ukrainian 10th seed Elina Svitolina, a 6-2, 6-1 winner over Australian Daria Gavrilova.

Launching his campaign after a first-round bye, Nadal was happy to forego the fireworks on a blazing hot Stadium Court and secure a workmanlike win in one hour and 21 minutes.

&quot;It was a solid match,&quot; Nadal said of a contest made trickier by facing another left-hander in heat that had the balls flying.

&quot;I didn&#39;t try to do amazing things. I tried to play solid. I tried to find the rhythm, and I think I did. For moments I played well. For moments I played a little bit less well. Important thing, I won, and I won in straight sets.&quot;&nbsp;

Pella seized the early initiative, breaking Nadal in the third game. But Nadal won six of the next seven games to pocket the set and go up a break to open the second.

Pella recouped the break in the second game of the second set, but Nadal regained the advantage with a break for 5-2 and calmly served it out.

He knows he&#39;ll have to turn up the intensity if he wants to end a hard court title drought stretching back to 2014.

He&#39;s drawn in the so-called &quot;quarter of death&quot; that also features second-seeded Novak Djokovic, the three-time defending champion and five-time overall Indian Wells winner, along with four-time champion Roger Federer.

Federer cemented his return from a 2016 disrupted by injury with a triumph over Nadal in the Australian Open final in January, the Swiss star&#39;s 18th Grand Slam title.

Djokovic, rocked by a second-round exit at the Australian Open, was to launch his bid for a fourth straight Indian Wells title against Britain&#39;s Kyle Edmund on Sunday, while Federer took on France&#39;s Stephane Robert in the marquee match of the night session.

Only one of the star trio can make it to the semi-finals, where fourth-seeded Kei Nishikori or sixth-seeded Marin Cilic could await.

Japan&#39;s Nishikori, a two-time finalist this year still looking for a first title of the season, eased past Britain&#39;s Daniel Evans 6-3, 6-4.

Nishikori had reason to know how dangerous the Briton could be. Evans shocked him four years ago in the first round of the US Open.

&quot;I know he can play great tennis and when he was playing aggressively, he was very tough to play,&quot; Nishikori said. &quot;But I think I managed really well from the first point until the end. I think it was a good start.&quot;

&#39;That&#39;s sport&#39;

The jam-packed half of the draw is a contrast to the wide-open top half, which lost a lot of its lustre on Saturday when world number one Andy Murray was stunned by 129th-ranked Canadian qualifier Vasek Pospisil.

&quot;That&#39;s sport, no?&quot; Nadal said. &quot;Yesterday probably Andy didn&#39;t play his best match and Vasek served very well. So then you go to a tiebreak and anything can happen.&quot;

While Murray arrived in Indian Wells off a victory in Dubai, Nadal noted that the venue has not been kind to the Briton in the past and he expected Murray to be back at full strength for the fast-approaching Miami Masters.

&quot;Sometimes you don&#39;t feel comfortable in one event, and it&#39;s difficult to overcome that,&quot; Nadal said, recalling his string of disappointments in Cincinnati before he managed a victory there. &quot;When you have bad feelings in one event, sometimes it&#39;s difficult to overcome that.&quot;

(AFP)

'It was a solid match,' Nadal said of his 6-3, 6-2 victory over Guido Pella

A "solid" effort saw three-time champion Rafael Nadal safely through to the third round of the ATP Indian Wells Masters on Sunday with a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Guido Pella. French Open champion Garbine Muguruza battled past tenacious teenager Kayla Day 3-6, 7-5, 6-2 on Sunday to reach the fourth round of the Indian Wells WTA hard court tournament. The seventh seed from Spain next faces Ukrainian 10th seed Elina Svitolina, a 6-2, 6-1 winner over Australian Daria Gavrilova. Launching his campaign after a first-round bye, Nadal was happy to forego the fireworks on a blazing hot Stadium Court and secure a workmanlike win in one hour and 21 minutes. "It was a solid match," Nadal said of a contest made trickier by facing another left-hander in heat that had the balls flying. "I didn't try to do amazing things. I tried to play solid. I tried to find the rhythm, and I think I did. For moments I played well. For moments I played a little bit less well. Important thing, I won, and I won in straight sets." Pella seized the early initiative, breaking Nadal in the third game. But Nadal won six of the next seven games to pocket the set and go up a break to open the second. Pella recouped the break in the second game of the second set, but Nadal regained the advantage with a break for 5-2 and calmly served it out. He knows he'll have to turn up the intensity if he wants to end a hard court title drought stretching back to 2014. He's drawn in the so-called "quarter of death" that also features second-seeded Novak Djokovic, the three-time defending champion and five-time overall Indian Wells winner, along with four-time champion Roger Federer. Federer cemented his return from a 2016 disrupted by injury with a triumph over Nadal in the Australian Open final in January, the Swiss star's 18th Grand Slam title. Djokovic, rocked by a second-round exit at the Australian Open, was to launch his bid for a fourth straight Indian Wells title against Britain's Kyle Edmund on Sunday, while Federer took on France's Stephane Robert in the marquee match of the night session. Only one of the star trio can make it to the semi-finals, where fourth-seeded Kei Nishikori or sixth-seeded Marin Cilic could await. Japan's Nishikori, a two-time finalist this year still looking for a first title of the season, eased past Britain's Daniel Evans 6-3, 6-4. Nishikori had reason to know how dangerous the Briton could be. Evans shocked him four years ago in the first round of the US Open. "I know he can play great tennis and when he was playing aggressively, he was very tough to play," Nishikori said. "But I think I managed really well from the first point until the end. I think it was a good start." 'That's sport' The jam-packed half of the draw is a contrast to the wide-open top half, which lost a lot of its lustre on Saturday when world number one Andy Murray was stunned by 129th-ranked Canadian qualifier Vasek Pospisil. "That's sport, no?" Nadal said. "Yesterday probably Andy didn't play his best match and Vasek served very well. So then you go to a tiebreak and anything can happen." While Murray arrived in Indian Wells off a victory in Dubai, Nadal noted that the venue has not been kind to the Briton in the past and he expected Murray to be back at full strength for the fast-approaching Miami Masters. "Sometimes you don't feel comfortable in one event, and it's difficult to overcome that," Nadal said, recalling his string of disappointments in Cincinnati before he managed a victory there. "When you have bad feelings in one event, sometimes it's difficult to overcome that." (AFP)

'Solid' Nadal powers ahead at Indian Wells

Rafael Nadal set up an Australian Open final against his great rival Roger Federer after edging Grigor Dimitrov in a classic five-set semi-final which stretched for nearly five hours on Friday.

Nadal pulled off one of his greatest victories in denying Bulgaria&#39;s Dimitrov, 6-3, 5-7, 7-6 (7/5), 6-7 (4/7), 6-4 in four hours and 56 minutes in front of a rocking Rod Laver Arena crowd.

Nadal showed his incredible fighting qualities to claw back from 0-30 down in the ninth game of the final set to break Dimitrov&#39;s serve with two tremendous chases to put away the winning volley to lead 5-4.

Dimitrov bravely saved two match points as Nadal served out for the match before the Spaniard clinched the victory, sinking to his knees in relief and jubilation.

Nadal said it was a &quot;privilege&quot; to face Federer in their ninth final, and first since the 2011 French Open.

&quot;It&#39;s a very special thing, I think for both of us to be in the final of a major again and have another chance to compete with each other again after a couple of years having some problems,&quot; he said.

&quot;I think both of us never thought we were going to be here again in the final of the Australian Open.&quot;

Nadal, who downed Federer in 2009 final, won through to his fourth Australian Open final and his 21st Grand Slam final. He leads Federer leads 6-2 in their major finals.

The 30-year-old Spaniard has been out of the Grand Slam limelight since his last title success at Roland Garros in 2014, as injuries sidetracked his glorious career.&nbsp;

Nadal is bidding to win his second Australian Open title and become the first man in the Open Era &ndash;- and only the third man in history &ndash;i to win each of the four Grand Slam titles twice.

Nadal and Dimitrov played each other to a standstill in Friday&#39;s epic, with two tiebreakers going either way in a semi-final that ran well past midnight.

Federer, who beat fellow Swiss Stan Wawrinka in Thursday&#39;s first semi-final, was watching on with relish as his rival in Sunday&#39;s final was taken the distance in a draining physical battle.

The last time both men&#39;s semi-finals went to five sets at any Slam was at 2009 Roland Garros when Federer beat Juan Martin del Potro and Robin Soderling defeated Fernando Gonzalez.

(AFP)

Nadal pulled off one of his greatest victories in denying Dimitrov, 6-3, 5-7, 7-6 (7/5), 6-7 (4/7), 6-4 in four hours and 56 minutes

Rafael Nadal set up an Australian Open final against his great rival Roger Federer after edging Grigor Dimitrov in a classic five-set semi-final which stretched for nearly five hours on Friday. Nadal pulled off one of his greatest victories in denying Bulgaria's Dimitrov, 6-3, 5-7, 7-6 (7/5), 6-7 (4/7), 6-4 in four hours and 56 minutes in front of a rocking Rod Laver Arena crowd. Nadal showed his incredible fighting qualities to claw back from 0-30 down in the ninth game of the final set to break Dimitrov's serve with two tremendous chases to put away the winning volley to lead 5-4. Dimitrov bravely saved two match points as Nadal served out for the match before the Spaniard clinched the victory, sinking to his knees in relief and jubilation. Nadal said it was a "privilege" to face Federer in their ninth final, and first since the 2011 French Open. "It's a very special thing, I think for both of us to be in the final of a major again and have another chance to compete with each other again after a couple of years having some problems," he said. "I think both of us never thought we were going to be here again in the final of the Australian Open." Nadal, who downed Federer in 2009 final, won through to his fourth Australian Open final and his 21st Grand Slam final. He leads Federer leads 6-2 in their major finals. The 30-year-old Spaniard has been out of the Grand Slam limelight since his last title success at Roland Garros in 2014, as injuries sidetracked his glorious career. Nadal is bidding to win his second Australian Open title and become the first man in the Open Era –- and only the third man in history –i to win each of the four Grand Slam titles twice. Nadal and Dimitrov played each other to a standstill in Friday's epic, with two tiebreakers going either way in a semi-final that ran well past midnight. Federer, who beat fellow Swiss Stan Wawrinka in Thursday's first semi-final, was watching on with relish as his rival in Sunday's final was taken the distance in a draining physical battle. The last time both men's semi-finals went to five sets at any Slam was at 2009 Roland Garros when Federer beat Juan Martin del Potro and Robin Soderling defeated Fernando Gonzalez. (AFP)

Australian Open: Nadal beats Dimitrov to face Federer in finals

Roger Federer reached his first Australian Open final in seven years on Thursday and then made it as clear as he politely could that he would welcome the chance to renew his epic rivalry with Rafa Nadal as he chases his 18th grand slam title.

The 35-year-old Swiss came through a&nbsp;five-set battle with compatriot Stan Wawrinka to set up a final against Spaniard Nadal or Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, who meet in Friday&#39;s second semi-final.

&quot;It&#39;s real, I can really actually talk about a final, I&#39;ve been dodging that bullet for the last few days,&quot; Federer said.

&quot;Rafa&#39;s given me the most problems in the game ... I&#39;m probably Rafa&#39;s number one fan, I think his game is just tremendous. He&#39;s an incredible competitor.

&quot;I&#39;m happy that we&#39;ve had some epic battles over the years and of course it would be unreal to play him here.&quot;

While Federer&#39;s preference seemed clear, he did not earn his reputation as one of the great gentlemen of sport without paying due respect to both of his potential opponents.

&quot;Dimitrov&#39;s got a very complete game. He can mix it up really well. He&#39;s very confident and you never want to play confident players, but it&#39;s him or Rafa,&quot; said Federer, laughing.

&quot;It&#39;s going to be tough either way.&quot;Both Federer and Nadal missed the back end of last season because of injury, the Swiss after his first ever knee surgery and Nadal because of a wrist injury.

Federer said neither of them would have believed they would be potentially meeting in a grand slam final when they got together to open the Spaniard&#39;s academy in Mallorca just a few months ago.

&quot;I was on one leg, he had the wrist injury and we were playing some mini-tennis with some juniors and we said, &#39;That&#39;s the best we can do right now&#39;,&quot; he said.

&quot;A few months later, we&#39;re potentially going to be in the final. I think it&#39;s been a very special tournament for both of us already.&quot;

INJURY &#39;NO WORRY&#39;

Federer unusually took a medical timeout in his three-hour, five-minute battle with Wawrinka, saying he had been carrying an upper leg injury.

He said he was not worried about it and nothing was going to stop him from taking to the court and fighting it out for a fifth Australian Open crown on Rod Laver Arena on Sunday.

&quot;I&#39;ll leave it all out here in Australia and if I can&#39;t walk for another five months, that&#39;s okay. I&#39;ll give it my best shot,&quot; he said.

&quot;It feels amazing. I never, ever in my wildest dreams thought I would come this far in Australia. I have a couple of days off. It&#39;s beautiful, I&#39;m so happy.&quot;

(Reuters)

Federer said he would welcome the chance to renew his epic rivalry with Nadal as he chases his 18th grand slam title

Roger Federer reached his first Australian Open final in seven years on Thursday and then made it as clear as he politely could that he would welcome the chance to renew his epic rivalry with Rafa Nadal as he chases his 18th grand slam title. The 35-year-old Swiss came through a five-set battle with compatriot Stan Wawrinka to set up a final against Spaniard Nadal or Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, who meet in Friday's second semi-final. "It's real, I can really actually talk about a final, I've been dodging that bullet for the last few days," Federer said. "Rafa's given me the most problems in the game ... I'm probably Rafa's number one fan, I think his game is just tremendous. He's an incredible competitor. "I'm happy that we've had some epic battles over the years and of course it would be unreal to play him here." While Federer's preference seemed clear, he did not earn his reputation as one of the great gentlemen of sport without paying due respect to both of his potential opponents. "Dimitrov's got a very complete game. He can mix it up really well. He's very confident and you never want to play confident players, but it's him or Rafa," said Federer, laughing. "It's going to be tough either way."Both Federer and Nadal missed the back end of last season because of injury, the Swiss after his first ever knee surgery and Nadal because of a wrist injury. Federer said neither of them would have believed they would be potentially meeting in a grand slam final when they got together to open the Spaniard's academy in Mallorca just a few months ago. "I was on one leg, he had the wrist injury and we were playing some mini-tennis with some juniors and we said, 'That's the best we can do right now'," he said. "A few months later, we're potentially going to be in the final. I think it's been a very special tournament for both of us already." INJURY 'NO WORRY' Federer unusually took a medical timeout in his three-hour, five-minute battle with Wawrinka, saying he had been carrying an upper leg injury. He said he was not worried about it and nothing was going to stop him from taking to the court and fighting it out for a fifth Australian Open crown on Rod Laver Arena on Sunday. "I'll leave it all out here in Australia and if I can't walk for another five months, that's okay. I'll give it my best shot," he said. "It feels amazing. I never, ever in my wildest dreams thought I would come this far in Australia. I have a couple of days off. It's beautiful, I'm so happy." (Reuters)

Federer beats Wawrinka, enters Australian Open final

Rafael Nadal prevailed over Canadian Milos Raonic in straight sets to set up an Australian Open semi-final clash with 15th-seed Grigor Dimitrov.

The 14-time grand slam champion beat the injury-hit world number three Raonic&nbsp;6-4, 7-6 (9/7), 6-4 in two hours 44 minutes, to move just a step away from setting up another eagerly-awaited summit match with his old rival Roger Federer.

Dimitrov beat David Goffin in straight sets to advance to the semi-finals, continuing with his fine start to the season.

But Nadal, who enjoys a 7-1 head-to-head with Dimitrov, preferred to focus on his next match than think of playing Federer in the final.

&quot;Let me enjoy today, the victory, being in semi-final. For me is great news again. It&#39;s a good start of the season,&quot; he told reporters.

&quot;Now I have a very tough match against Dimitrov.

&quot;Whatever happens on the other side of the draw, I think it is great for tennis that Roger is there again after an injury, after a lot of people talked that probably he would never be back.

&quot;The real thing is that he&#39;s back and he&#39;s probably ready to win again, fighting again to win a major.

&quot;That&#39;s good for the fans because Roger is a legend of our sport. I am happy to be there, too. I am focused on my semi-final.&quot;

It was another accomplished performance from the 30-year-old Spaniard who reached his first Grand Slam semi-final since he won the 2014 French Open, and struggled with injury last year.

&quot;Great. It&#39;s good news. Especially winning against difficult players: (Gael) Monfils in quarter-finals, (Alexander) Zverev round of 16 and now Raonic,&quot;&nbsp;Nadal&nbsp;said.

&quot;All of them are top players. So that&#39;s very important for me because that means that I am competitive and playing well.

&quot;I&#39;m so just excited about being back in final rounds of the most important events.&quot;

(WION with inputs from AFP)

&nbsp;

Nadal beat an injured Milos Raonic while the 15th-seed Bulgarian beat David Goffin

Rafael Nadal prevailed over Canadian Milos Raonic in straight sets to set up an Australian Open semi-final clash with 15th-seed Grigor Dimitrov. The 14-time grand slam champion beat the injury-hit world number three Raonic 6-4, 7-6 (9/7), 6-4 in two hours 44 minutes, to move just a step away from setting up another eagerly-awaited summit match with his old rival Roger Federer. Dimitrov beat David Goffin in straight sets to advance to the semi-finals, continuing with his fine start to the season. But Nadal, who enjoys a 7-1 head-to-head with Dimitrov, preferred to focus on his next match than think of playing Federer in the final. "Let me enjoy today, the victory, being in semi-final. For me is great news again. It's a good start of the season," he told reporters. "Now I have a very tough match against Dimitrov. "Whatever happens on the other side of the draw, I think it is great for tennis that Roger is there again after an injury, after a lot of people talked that probably he would never be back. "The real thing is that he's back and he's probably ready to win again, fighting again to win a major. "That's good for the fans because Roger is a legend of our sport. I am happy to be there, too. I am focused on my semi-final." It was another accomplished performance from the 30-year-old Spaniard who reached his first Grand Slam semi-final since he won the 2014 French Open, and struggled with injury last year. "Great. It's good news. Especially winning against difficult players: (Gael) Monfils in quarter-finals, (Alexander) Zverev round of 16 and now Raonic," Nadal said. "All of them are top players. So that's very important for me because that means that I am competitive and playing well. "I'm so just excited about being back in final rounds of the most important events." (WION with inputs from AFP)

Australian Open: Nadal, Dimitrov set up semi-final clash

Novak Djokovic may have cursed the draw for throwing up Fernando Verdasco as the first opponent in his Australian Open defence but the tough match-up against the Spanish giant-killer ultimately proved a blessing in disguise.&nbsp;The Serb launched his bid for a record seventh title at Melbourne Park with an impressive 6-1 7-6(4) 6-2 win over the man who knocked Rafa Nadal out in the first round of last year&#39;s tournament.

Djokovic was forced to save five match points to beat Verdasco at the recent Qatar Open and was broken twice during a thrilling second set under the lights of Rod Laver Arena.&nbsp;But the second seed defended brilliantly to defuse the veteran lefthander&#39;s power game and closed out the two-hour 20-minute clash.

&quot;I knew that winning the second set would be crucial because I definitely didn&#39;t want to give him wings,&quot; Djokovic told reporters after setting up a second round clash against Uzbek Denis Istomin.

&quot;I didn&#39;t want to have him start swinging at the ball, as he knows. I don&#39;t know how he felt about the draw. But I personally think that I could have drawn... an easier player. But nothing is easy obviously,&quot; Djokovic said.

&quot;From one perspective it was good that I got to have the very tough first round match, because it made me prepare better and kind of approach this match and the tournament with the right intensity right from the blocks, right from the first point,&quot; Djokovic felt after the match.

Djokovic has owned Melbourne Park for almost a decade and his continued reign seemed assured as he roared to a 5-0 lead in the first set. Verdasco felled Nadal in five sets last year by swinging at every ball and his aggression was rewarded when he broke Djokovic twice early in the second.

But he was furious with himself for letting the chances slip, cursing in Spanish and bouncing his racket off the court in disgust. He double-faulted at 4-4 to give Djokovic two break points but saved them both before holding serve, leaving the Serb yelling out his own frustrations from his chair at the change of ends.

It took a moment of Verdasco madness to open the door, the Spaniard wafting a sliced backhand well beyond the baseline to concede two set points. Djokovic wrapped up the tiebreak with a monster serve and sprinted away in the third set. Beaten emphatically in a string of baseline skirmishes, Verdasco fell behind 4-1 and he threw his racket at his chair.

It felt more like a towel being tossed into a ring as there was no stopping Djokovic in full flight.

&quot;It feels like home,&quot; said the Serb on the court where he won his sixth Australian Open title a year ago.

&quot;Already in the last couple of weeks, I was really eager to come back to the court and get into the competitive mode, just be back in the office,&quot; the Australian Open champion declared.

(Reuters)

Defending champion Novak Djokovic will now take on Uzbekistan's Denis Istomin in the second round

Novak Djokovic may have cursed the draw for throwing up Fernando Verdasco as the first opponent in his Australian Open defence but the tough match-up against the Spanish giant-killer ultimately proved a blessing in disguise. The Serb launched his bid for a record seventh title at Melbourne Park with an impressive 6-1 7-6(4) 6-2 win over the man who knocked Rafa Nadal out in the first round of last year's tournament. Djokovic was forced to save five match points to beat Verdasco at the recent Qatar Open and was broken twice during a thrilling second set under the lights of Rod Laver Arena. But the second seed defended brilliantly to defuse the veteran lefthander's power game and closed out the two-hour 20-minute clash. "I knew that winning the second set would be crucial because I definitely didn't want to give him wings," Djokovic told reporters after setting up a second round clash against Uzbek Denis Istomin. "I didn't want to have him start swinging at the ball, as he knows. I don't know how he felt about the draw. But I personally think that I could have drawn... an easier player. But nothing is easy obviously," Djokovic said. "From one perspective it was good that I got to have the very tough first round match, because it made me prepare better and kind of approach this match and the tournament with the right intensity right from the blocks, right from the first point," Djokovic felt after the match. Djokovic has owned Melbourne Park for almost a decade and his continued reign seemed assured as he roared to a 5-0 lead in the first set. Verdasco felled Nadal in five sets last year by swinging at every ball and his aggression was rewarded when he broke Djokovic twice early in the second. But he was furious with himself for letting the chances slip, cursing in Spanish and bouncing his racket off the court in disgust. He double-faulted at 4-4 to give Djokovic two break points but saved them both before holding serve, leaving the Serb yelling out his own frustrations from his chair at the change of ends. It took a moment of Verdasco madness to open the door, the Spaniard wafting a sliced backhand well beyond the baseline to concede two set points. Djokovic wrapped up the tiebreak with a monster serve and sprinted away in the third set. Beaten emphatically in a string of baseline skirmishes, Verdasco fell behind 4-1 and he threw his racket at his chair. It felt more like a towel being tossed into a ring as there was no stopping Djokovic in full flight. "It feels like home," said the Serb on the court where he won his sixth Australian Open title a year ago. "Already in the last couple of weeks, I was really eager to come back to the court and get into the competitive mode, just be back in the office," the Australian Open champion declared. (Reuters)

Australian Open: Djokovic beats Verdasco to enter second round

Former world number one Caroline Wozniacki showed her class in upstaging eighth seed Madison Keys 6-3, 6-4 to enter the quarter-finals of the US Open on Sunday. 
 
The Dane will now face unseeded Latvian Anastasija Sevastova in the last eight. Sevastova beat Briton Johanna Konta to advance to the next round. 
 
Thirteenth seed Konta was Sevastova&#39;s second high-profile scalp of the tournament. She had earlier beaten number three seed Garbine Muguruza in the second round.&nbsp; 
 
Italy&#39;s Roberta Vinci, former US Open runner-up and the player to deny Serena Williams the perfect grand slam in 2015, looked imperious in her match against world number 99&nbsp;Lesia Tsurenko 7-6(5), 6-2. 
 
She is due to face the winner of multiple Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova and second seed Australian Open winner Angelique Kerber in the quarter-finals. 
 
In the men&#39;s side, French duo of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Gael Monfils entered the quarter-finals of the US Open. Mercurial Monfils prevailed over Marcos Baghdatis in straight sets, while Tsonga dropped a set en route to reaching the quarter-finals. 
 
Tsonga and Monfils, who is enjoying a fruitful run this American summer with a win-loss record of 17-2, both reached their third quarter-final at the US Open.&nbsp; 
 
While Tsonga will meet the winner of world number one Novak Djokovic and Kyle Edmund match, La Monf will face off against the winner of 14-time grand slam champion Rafael Nadal and Lucas Pouille, also from France. 
 
Update:&nbsp;Nadal and Pouille have won one set apiece with the Frenchman leading 3-1 in the third. 
 
(WION) 
 
&nbsp;

French duo of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Gael Monfils also entered the quarter-finals of the year's last grand slam

Former world number one Caroline Wozniacki showed her class in upstaging eighth seed Madison Keys 6-3, 6-4 to enter the quarter-finals of the US Open on Sunday. The Dane will now face unseeded Latvian Anastasija Sevastova in the last eight. Sevastova beat Briton Johanna Konta to advance to the next round. Thirteenth seed Konta was Sevastova's second high-profile scalp of the tournament. She had earlier beaten number three seed Garbine Muguruza in the second round. Italy's Roberta Vinci, former US Open runner-up and the player to deny Serena Williams the perfect grand slam in 2015, looked imperious in her match against world number 99 Lesia Tsurenko 7-6(5), 6-2. She is due to face the winner of multiple Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova and second seed Australian Open winner Angelique Kerber in the quarter-finals. In the men's side, French duo of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Gael Monfils entered the quarter-finals of the US Open. Mercurial Monfils prevailed over Marcos Baghdatis in straight sets, while Tsonga dropped a set en route to reaching the quarter-finals. Tsonga and Monfils, who is enjoying a fruitful run this American summer with a win-loss record of 17-2, both reached their third quarter-final at the US Open. While Tsonga will meet the winner of world number one Novak Djokovic and Kyle Edmund match, La Monf will face off against the winner of 14-time grand slam champion Rafael Nadal and Lucas Pouille, also from France. Update: Nadal and Pouille have won one set apiece with the Frenchman leading 3-1 in the third. (WION)

US Open: Wozniacki beats Keys to book last 8 spot

Defending champion Novak Djokovic overcame an arm injury scare and long-time rival Rafael Nadal shone in 33-degree heat as the US Open showcased its $650 million upgrade on Monday. 
 
World number one Djokovic, also the 2011 winner in New York and chasing his third major of the year, defeated Jerzy Janowicz of Poland 6-3, 5-7, 6-2, 6-1. 
 
Nadal, the 2010 and 2013 champion and seeded to face Djokovic in the semi-finals, eased to a 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 win over Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan. 
 
In the women&#39;s event, second seeded Angelique Kerber, the Australian Open champion, needed just 33 minutes to progress but Roland Garros winner Garbine Muguruza required three sets and a visit from the doctor before she survived. 
 
Djokovic had admitted that he was &quot;not 100 percent&quot; after suffering a wrist injury on the eve of the Olympics where he was a first-round loser. 
 
But it was the upper right arm that bothered the Serb on Monday night as he played his first Grand Slam match since his shock third round exit at Wimbledon. 
 
The 29-year-old needed treatment after just five games of the first set but eventually pulled through against Janowicz who had played just two matches all year due to a knee injury. 
 
&quot;It was hard to follow Phil Collins,&quot; joked Djokovic in reference to the lengthy opening ceremony which featured the veteran English rocker under the new $150 million roof on Arthur Ashe Stadium. 
 
On his arm injury, Djokovic added: &quot;It&#39;s never easy to play at this level throughout the year. There are periods where you aren&#39;t 100 percent.&quot; 
 
Djokovic next faces Jiri Vesely, the Czech who knocked him out of Monte Carlo this year. 
 
Nadal&#39;s reward for a fifth win in five meetings with Istomin is a match-up with Italian veteran Andreas Seppi. 
 
A wrist injury forced the Spaniard into an early retirement at the French Open and sidelined him from Wimbledon before a gold medal run in the doubles at the Olympics helped ease his misery. 
 
&quot;The most important thing is that I am here in New York. Injuries are part of the career. I had a hard time this year,&quot; said the fourth seed. 
 
Canadian fifth seed Milos Raonic, the runner-up to Andy Murray at Wimbledon, overcame German dangerman Dustin Brown 7-5, 6-4, 6-4. 
 
Kerber needed just over 30 minutes to get her pursuit of a first US Open title off to a winning start. 
 
The German was leading Polona Hercog 6-0, 1-0 when the Slovenian called it quits having won just nine points. 
 
Kerber, a semi-finalist in 2011, next faces Mirjana Lucic-Baroni of Croatia. 
 
Muguruza carved out a gritty 2-6, 6-0, 6-3 win over Belgian qualifier Elise Mertens, ranked at 137. 
 
But the French Open champion needed courtside treatment from a doctor after dropping the first set.
<h2>Doctor&#39;s orders</h2>
The consultation certainly worked as she reeled off the next seven games to lay the foundation for her win. 
 
Muguruza plays Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia for a place in the last 32. 
 
French 13th seed Richard Gasquet, a semi-finalist three years ago, was the day&#39;s biggest casualty. 
 
He went down to 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 to British world number 84 Kyle Edmund. 
 
Also exiting was Olympic champion Monica Puig with the Puerto Rican losing 6-4, 6-2 to China&#39;s Zheng Saisai. 
 
Kayla Day, just 16 and ranked at a lowly 374 in the world, was 6-2, 4-2 up on Madison Brengle when her fellow American quit with an injury. 
 
Croatian seventh seed Marin Cilic, the 2014 champion and winner in Cincinnati last week, eased past Brazil&#39;s Rogerio Dutra Silva 6-4, 7-5, 6-1. 
 
Flamboyant French 10th seed Gael Monfils took his summer hardcourt record to 15-2 with a 6-4, 6-2, 7-6 win over Gilles Muller of Luxemburg. 
 
Monfils almost suffered a freak accident when a giant courtside clock fell towards him as he collided with the back wall, chasing down a Muller shot. 
 
The Flushing Meadows complex has been radically and expensively remodelled for this year. 
 
However, the old Grandstand court, due to be demolished after the tournament, was pressed into action after the new Court 10 was deemed unplayable. 
 
(AFP)

Djokovic defeated Jerzy Janowicz of Poland while Nadal secured a win against Denis Istomin of Uzbeskistan

Defending champion Novak Djokovic overcame an arm injury scare and long-time rival Rafael Nadal shone in 33-degree heat as the US Open showcased its $650 million upgrade on Monday. World number one Djokovic, also the 2011 winner in New York and chasing his third major of the year, defeated Jerzy Janowicz of Poland 6-3, 5-7, 6-2, 6-1. Nadal, the 2010 and 2013 champion and seeded to face Djokovic in the semi-finals, eased to a 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 win over Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan. In the women's event, second seeded Angelique Kerber, the Australian Open champion, needed just 33 minutes to progress but Roland Garros winner Garbine Muguruza required three sets and a visit from the doctor before she survived. Djokovic had admitted that he was "not 100 percent" after suffering a wrist injury on the eve of the Olympics where he was a first-round loser. But it was the upper right arm that bothered the Serb on Monday night as he played his first Grand Slam match since his shock third round exit at Wimbledon. The 29-year-old needed treatment after just five games of the first set but eventually pulled through against Janowicz who had played just two matches all year due to a knee injury. "It was hard to follow Phil Collins," joked Djokovic in reference to the lengthy opening ceremony which featured the veteran English rocker under the new $150 million roof on Arthur Ashe Stadium. On his arm injury, Djokovic added: "It's never easy to play at this level throughout the year. There are periods where you aren't 100 percent." Djokovic next faces Jiri Vesely, the Czech who knocked him out of Monte Carlo this year. Nadal's reward for a fifth win in five meetings with Istomin is a match-up with Italian veteran Andreas Seppi. A wrist injury forced the Spaniard into an early retirement at the French Open and sidelined him from Wimbledon before a gold medal run in the doubles at the Olympics helped ease his misery. "The most important thing is that I am here in New York. Injuries are part of the career. I had a hard time this year," said the fourth seed. Canadian fifth seed Milos Raonic, the runner-up to Andy Murray at Wimbledon, overcame German dangerman Dustin Brown 7-5, 6-4, 6-4. Kerber needed just over 30 minutes to get her pursuit of a first US Open title off to a winning start. The German was leading Polona Hercog 6-0, 1-0 when the Slovenian called it quits having won just nine points. Kerber, a semi-finalist in 2011, next faces Mirjana Lucic-Baroni of Croatia. Muguruza carved out a gritty 2-6, 6-0, 6-3 win over Belgian qualifier Elise Mertens, ranked at 137. But the French Open champion needed courtside treatment from a doctor after dropping the first set. Doctor's orders The consultation certainly worked as she reeled off the next seven games to lay the foundation for her win. Muguruza plays Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia for a place in the last 32. French 13th seed Richard Gasquet, a semi-finalist three years ago, was the day's biggest casualty. He went down to 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 to British world number 84 Kyle Edmund. Also exiting was Olympic champion Monica Puig with the Puerto Rican losing 6-4, 6-2 to China's Zheng Saisai. Kayla Day, just 16 and ranked at a lowly 374 in the world, was 6-2, 4-2 up on Madison Brengle when her fellow American quit with an injury. Croatian seventh seed Marin Cilic, the 2014 champion and winner in Cincinnati last week, eased past Brazil's Rogerio Dutra Silva 6-4, 7-5, 6-1. Flamboyant French 10th seed Gael Monfils took his summer hardcourt record to 15-2 with a 6-4, 6-2, 7-6 win over Gilles Muller of Luxemburg. Monfils almost suffered a freak accident when a giant courtside clock fell towards him as he collided with the back wall, chasing down a Muller shot. The Flushing Meadows complex has been radically and expensively remodelled for this year. However, the old Grandstand court, due to be demolished after the tournament, was pressed into action after the new Court 10 was deemed unplayable. (AFP)

Tennis: Djokovic beats scare, Nadal eases at revamped US Open

Swiss world number three Roger Federer and Spanish world number four Rafael Nadal have joined Wimbledon champion Andy Murray to pull out of next week&#39;s Toronto Masters tennis tournament. 
 
Federer, a 17-times grand slam champion who won the Canadian stop in 2004 and 2006, said he needed more time off after his bid for a record-extending 18th grand slam title ended in the Wimbledon semi-finals earlier this month. 
 
&quot;Looking ahead, it is best for me that I take more time after Wimbledon. I look forward to coming back to Canada next year,&quot; the 34-year-old said.&nbsp; 
 
Federer will seek his third Olympic medal at next month&#39;s Rio Games. His competition, Wimbledon winner Andy Murray, too had said he would not defend his Rogers Cup title so he can rest before defending his Olympic singles crown in Rio, only a day before Federer&#39;s announcement. &nbsp;Nadal, who has 14 Grand Slam titles, has been out of action since pulling out of the French Open following his second-round match with a wrist injury, said he was not fit enough to return to competition. 
 
The 30-year-old Spaniard, a three-times winner of the Rogers Cup tournament that alternates each year between Toronto and Montreal, was only recently given clearance to compete in Rio despite not fulfilling the qualification criteria.&nbsp;&quot;I only started practicing a week ago after my wrist injury and I am not ready to play such an important event,&quot; said Nadal. 
 
That leaves Serbian world No.1 Novak Djokovic, who suffered a shock third-round defeat to American Sam Querrey at Wimbledon, as the only member of tennis &quot;&#39;big four&quot; taking part in the Toronto event which runs from July 25 to July 31.&nbsp;The &quot;big four&quot; are expected to take part in the Rio Olympic Games, which start on August 5. 
 
(Reuters)

The tennis stars join Wimbledon winner Andy Murray, citing the need to heal in advance of the Rio Olympics

Swiss world number three Roger Federer and Spanish world number four Rafael Nadal have joined Wimbledon champion Andy Murray to pull out of next week's Toronto Masters tennis tournament. Federer, a 17-times grand slam champion who won the Canadian stop in 2004 and 2006, said he needed more time off after his bid for a record-extending 18th grand slam title ended in the Wimbledon semi-finals earlier this month. "Looking ahead, it is best for me that I take more time after Wimbledon. I look forward to coming back to Canada next year," the 34-year-old said. Federer will seek his third Olympic medal at next month's Rio Games. His competition, Wimbledon winner Andy Murray, too had said he would not defend his Rogers Cup title so he can rest before defending his Olympic singles crown in Rio, only a day before Federer's announcement. Nadal, who has 14 Grand Slam titles, has been out of action since pulling out of the French Open following his second-round match with a wrist injury, said he was not fit enough to return to competition. The 30-year-old Spaniard, a three-times winner of the Rogers Cup tournament that alternates each year between Toronto and Montreal, was only recently given clearance to compete in Rio despite not fulfilling the qualification criteria. "I only started practicing a week ago after my wrist injury and I am not ready to play such an important event," said Nadal. That leaves Serbian world No.1 Novak Djokovic, who suffered a shock third-round defeat to American Sam Querrey at Wimbledon, as the only member of tennis "'big four" taking part in the Toronto event which runs from July 25 to July 31. The "big four" are expected to take part in the Rio Olympic Games, which start on August 5. (Reuters)

Federer and Nadal pull out of Toronto Masters tournament

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