Nadal storms ahead on rainy day in Melbourne

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MELBOURNE - Defending champion Rafael Nadal raced past local boy Peter Luczak 7-6(0), 6-1, 6-4 to make his way into the second round of Australian Open on the opening day at the All England club here Monday.

The Spanish second-seed crushed any possible rebellion from the Australian under the closed roof of the Rod Laver arena. “I fought and fought, he played well,” said a delighted Nadal.

“I’m happy to start with a straight set win. It’s great to be in the second round. I never thought it would easy. The first round makes you more nervous.

“First set was difficult and then it got easier. I had more mistakes in the first set, but I served well in the tiebreak and started to play my game.”

Nadal, who beat Roger Federer for the title last year, was joined by fourth seed Juan Del Potro into the second round as the Argentine shook off a wrist niggle from last week to triumph over American Michael Russell 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 6-2.

Morning play on uncovered outside courts got off to a delayed start due in unseasonable chilly (20 Celsius) and wet weather, with several rain interruptions throughout the day.

The covered roofs on the leading pair of showcourts paid dividends as matches there were continuous.

But some contests were left hanging overnight as officials finally declared outdoor play over with two hours to spare before midnight.

Andy Murray and Andy Roddick got down to business under the roof with the pair of seeds slamming opponents in straight-set routs.

But the 2008 women’s winner Maria Sharapova found herself on the wrong end of an upset as the three-time Grand Slam champion lost in the first round of a major for the first time in seven years, copping a 7-6(4), 3-6, 6-4 defeat at the hands of friend Maria Kirilenko.

Fifth seeded Scot Murray kick-started his title bid with a handy defeat of South African qualifier Kevin Anderson 6-1, 6-1, 6-2 while Roddick, the Brisbane champion eight days ago, crushed Dutch young gun Thiemo de Bakker 6-1, 6-4, 6-4.

“I thought I played the right way, I could have executed probably a little bit better at times,” said the American. “Overall I thought it was pretty good.

Chile’s 11th seed Fernando Gonzalez took a win over Belgian Olivier Rochus 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, while Croatian Ivan Ljubicic claimed the fortnight’s first home victim with his win over Aussie Jason Kubler 6-1, 6-2, 6-2.

Croatian Ivo Karlovic caused the an upset as he knocked out 13th seed Radek Stepanek 2-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-4, 3-6, 6-4.

Women’s second seed Dinara Safina paced third-seeded Russian compatriot Svetlana Kuznetsova to easy victories.

Safina beat Slovak Magdalena Rybarikova 6-4, 6-4; Kuznetsova defeated Russian-turned-Aussie Anastasia Rodionova 6-1, 6-2.

“Let’s say it was not an easy first round match,” said Safina, adding “She’s a very good opponent.” Overall, “I’m pretty satisfied with everything” she said of going through to the next round.”

Sharapova had not lost in an opening round since 2003, her first year on the circuit, when she failed to get through to the second round in both Melbourne and Paris.

“I had my chances and didn’t execute. She was up and I got back into the match. But I didn’t take advantage, I let her control the situation again,” said Sharapova.

The 14th seed did herself no favours in a match lasting nearly three and a half hours, firing 77 unforced errors and 11 double faults. Her serve was broken five times, and her opponent came away victorious with only 26 winners to her name.

“I was up and down in many areas, I just finished in the down level,” said Sharapova. “There is still a lot to improve, I still need to add consistency.”

Italian 12th seed Flavia Pennetta put out Russia’s Anna Chakvetadze 6-3, 3-6, 6-2. US Open winner Kim Clijsters, the number 15, advanced over Canadian Valerie Tetreault, 6-0, 6-4.