Clay king Rafael Nadal was caught out as London drizzle
prevented the double French Open champion making his start on grass
at the Queen's club event.
Nadal was to have teamed-up in doubles with fellow Spaniard
Feliciano Lopez. But poor weather that set in during the afternoon
finally forced the abandonment of day two matches as light faded in
early evening.
The conditions also put back the start for three-time champion
Andy Roddick, who was to open in the second round against Canadian
qualifier Frank Dancevic after a first-round bye.
Wednesday, with weather again a major uncertainly, should
feature a packed-out programme at the prime Wimbledon tune-up
event.
Nadal will open against American Mardy Fish, who earned a 6-1,
6-3 first-round victory over Briton Jamie Baker Tuesday.
Nadal has limited grass experience, with a 3-3 career record on
the surface.
He is playing Queen's, considered the top warm-up for Wimbledon,
for the first time after losing in the Halle first round a year ago
in the wake of his first Paris title success.
Nadal, who began this season inactive with a foot injury, is
still digesting the enormity of his Roland Garros run to glory.
"A Grand Slam title is special. This was my second time and it
was not an easy situation after my injury. This is a special
feeling," he said.
"Winning again was a big surprise for me."
Three seeds advanced, with number nine Robby Ginepri defeating
fellow American Paul Goldstein 3-6, 7-5, 6-1.
Russian Dmitry Tursunov, the number 15, beat Brit Alex
Bogdanovic 7-6 (7/4), 6-4 while 16th seed Paradorn Srichaphan won
his first match in two months.
After going 0-7 on clay, the Thai began redeeming himself,
defeating Dick Norman 6-4, 7-6 (7/5).
Besides Nadal and Roddick, second seed Ivan Ljubicic, number
four Nikolay Davydenko, plus Australians Lleyton Hewitt and
struggling Mark Philippoussis are all set to play on
Wednesday.
?
(AFP via CRI June 14, 2006)