Nadal, Dementieva advance at US Open
Wednesday, 27 August 2008
NEW YORK, Aug 26 (AFP): Reigning Olympic champions Rafael Nadal and Elena Dementieva got their US Opens off and running Monday, facing stiff challenges from a pair of unseeded players.
Nadal, who goes into a Grand Slam ranked No. 1 in the world for the first time, outlasted Bjorn Phau 7-6 (7/4), 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) on day one of the 20.6 million dollar tournament.
"When you win in three sets it is a good results," Nadal said. "I had some difficult moments in the match so that is going to help me be prepared for the pressure moments later on."
Like Nadal, Dementieva came out shaky but finished on a winning note by brushing aside Akgul Amanmuradova in straight sets.
The fifth seed Dementieva hopes her 6-4, 7-5 victory is a stepping stone to better things.
"The first round is never easy," said Dementieva, who stopped Serena Williams and Vera Zvonareva before beating Russian compatriot Dinara Safina in the gold medal match at the Olympics.
The 22-year-old Nadal, of Spain, fired seven aces and hammered 37 winners but it wasn't the opening statement he had hoped for as he needed almost three hours to beat 146th ranked journeyman Phau.
"I tried to keep my level up. I tried to hurry him," said Phau who plays mainly on the lower level Challenger circuit.
Nadal moves through to the second round where he will face Ryler De Heart who surprised Belgium's Olivier Rochus in a five setter 7-6 (7/4), 5-7, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4.
Nadal has his gold medal to go with his victories at the French Open and Wimbledon this year.
Nadal, who goes into a Grand Slam ranked No. 1 in the world for the first time, outlasted Bjorn Phau 7-6 (7/4), 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) on day one of the 20.6 million dollar tournament.
"When you win in three sets it is a good results," Nadal said. "I had some difficult moments in the match so that is going to help me be prepared for the pressure moments later on."
Like Nadal, Dementieva came out shaky but finished on a winning note by brushing aside Akgul Amanmuradova in straight sets.
The fifth seed Dementieva hopes her 6-4, 7-5 victory is a stepping stone to better things.
"The first round is never easy," said Dementieva, who stopped Serena Williams and Vera Zvonareva before beating Russian compatriot Dinara Safina in the gold medal match at the Olympics.
The 22-year-old Nadal, of Spain, fired seven aces and hammered 37 winners but it wasn't the opening statement he had hoped for as he needed almost three hours to beat 146th ranked journeyman Phau.
"I tried to keep my level up. I tried to hurry him," said Phau who plays mainly on the lower level Challenger circuit.
Nadal moves through to the second round where he will face Ryler De Heart who surprised Belgium's Olivier Rochus in a five setter 7-6 (7/4), 5-7, 6-4, 3-6, 6-4.
Nadal has his gold medal to go with his victories at the French Open and Wimbledon this year.