Norman’s stock continues to rise Venus extends winning streak

“It was a little windy and very noisy but I’m getting used to it,” said Norman, a winner of four tournaments this year who is seeded for the first time at the Open.

“I feel very honoured to play on Centre Court … It’s great to be appreciated,” added the soft-spoken, 24-year-old Swede, who is romantically linked to women’s World No 1 Martina Hingis.

The top-seeded Hingis very nearly carved out a love-victory in her time upon the main stage on Wednesday, routing American Kristina Brandi 6-1 6-1 in just 44 minutes.

Four-time Open champion Pete Sampras also took care of business swiftly, closing out the night programme with a 6-3 6-1 6-3 thumping of fellow-American Justin Gimelstob to run his record to 14-0 under the lights at the Open.

Hingis’ primary nemesis, American superstar Venus Williams, preceded Norman on the Centre Court but stuck around for just 48 minutes in beating Czech Kveta Hrdlickova 6-1 6-1 to extend her current match winning streak to 21.

“It’s nice, it’s been a long time since I’ve experienced a loss,” said the third seed whose streak began with her Wimbledon win and includes three summer hardcourt titles.

Sixth-seeded two-time champion Monica Seles opened the Day 3 programme with a 6-3 6-4 victory over Anne Kremer of luxembourg and faces a tough third-round test against 17th-ranked American Chanda Rubin, who overcame Austrian Barbara Schett 2-6, 6-1 6-1.

Joining Williams and Seles in the third round were eighth seed Nathalie Tauziat, ninth-seeded former champion Arantxa Sanchez Vicario, 11th seed Sandrine Testud and 15th seed Jennifer Capriati, all straight sets winners.

While not yet a household name among tennis fans, Norman has earned his place in the spotlight with a breakout year in which he has won more matches than anyone on the ATP tour (56), reached the French Open final, and won four titles, including last week’s final open tune-up, the Hamlet Cup.

Forced to leave last year’s US Open in the fourth round with a back injury, Norman could walk away this year atop the ATP champions race if he lives up to his seeding and reaches the semi-finals.

His ability to raise his game when under pressure was on display in the first set as Norman faced nine break points and saved them all. He allowed Goldstein just one more break point the rest of the way and saved that too, while unleashing 56 winners to just 19 for the American.

I’m very confident. I’m Very happy to get through the first round, said Norman.

Sixth-seeded Russian up-and-comer Marat Safin, who like Norman is seeded for the first time at the Open, had a tougher time but advanced with a 7-5 6-7 6-4 6-4 victory over Frenchman Thierry Guardiola.

A trio of former US Open finalists — Greg Rusedski, Cedric Pioline and Mark Philippoussis — also easily cleared the first hurdle on the day.

Unseeded Briton Rusedski, the 1997 runner-up, had no problems with Sweden’s Magnus Gustafsson, posting a 6-1 6-2 6-4 win to improve on his showing at Wimbledon, where he shockingly fell in the first round to Vince Spadea, who had lost a record 21 successive first-round matches.

Tenth-seeded Frenchman Pioline, runner-up in 1993 and a surprise semi-finalist last year, cruised to a 6-3 6-3 6-1 victory over Sargis Sargsian of Armenia.

Australian Philippoussis, the 15th seed, made a successful return to Flushing Meadows with a dominating 6-3 6-2 6-3 victory over Spanish clay court specialist Albert Portas.

Philippoussis, who missed last year’s Open with a knee injury after reaching the final in 1998, could scarcely have asked for a better opponent to ease his way into the tournament as Portas had played only one match on hardcourt this summer in preparation for the year’s final Grand Slam event.

Known as “Scud” for his explosive serves, the 23-year-old Philippoussis appears to have a personal mine sweeper in front of him.

Not all of the hottest action at Flushing Meadows took place on Court on Wednesday.

Australian Jelena Dokic’s often drunk and out of control father, Damir, was thrown out of the tennis centre and told not to return after he delivered a profanity-laced tirade set off by the high price of a slender piece of salmon served up at the players’ dining room.