Another record for Nadal

The modern day King of Clay eclipsed another mark,this time breaking the French Open mens record for consecutive wins.

The modern day King of Clay eclipsed another mark on Monday,this time breaking the French Open mens record for consecutive wins.

Top seed Rafael Nadal looked his usual dominant self in the first round,beating Marcos Daniel of Brazil 7-5 6-4 6-3 for his 29th straight win on the red clay at Roland Garros. Nadals win bettered the French Open record held by Bjorn Borg,who won 28 straight from 1978-81. Nadal also equalled the overall tournament record,matching the 29 straight that Chris Evert won between 1974-75 and 1979-81 At the beginning,I didnt quite get the best feeling,but I won in three sets. Thats very positive, Nadal said. I should have won more easily, but it was a difficult match.

Roger Federer had an easier time in his opening match,defeating Alberto Martin of Spain 6-4 6-3 6-2. Once I got the upper hand,things were pretty much in control, Federer said. I served well when I had to,and mixed it up. Thats how I want to play.

Sixth seed Andy Roddick of the United States beat French wild-card entry Romain Jouan 6-2 6-4 6-2 to win a match at the French Open for the first time since 2005.

Dinara Safina,the top-seeded player in the womens draw,advanced along with No 3 Venus Williams and unseeded Maria Sharapova. Sharapova played with a bandage on her ailing right shoulder,and she struggled in the first set before beating Anastasiya Yakimova of Belarus 3-6 6-1 6-2. Safina routed Anne Keothavong of Britain 6-0,6-0,spraying shots to all parts of the court.

Williams survived a sudden second-set slump to beat Bethanie Mattek-Sands 6-1 4-6 6-2. Im definitely a third-set player, Williams said. Once I get to the third set,I feel a new level coming. AP

Paes-Dlouhy seeded third

Leander Paes and Czech Lukas Dlouhy have been seeded third while Mahesh Bhupathi and his Bahamian partner Mark Knowles are seeded fourth in doubles. Paes and Dlouhy will open their campaign in Paris against Frenchmen Sebastien De Chaunac and Benoit Paire. Bhupathi and Knowles will square up against the French pair Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Josselin Ouanna. Rohan Bopanna and Israeli Jonathan Erlich will take on Spains Guillermo Garcia-Lopez and Argentinas Sergio Roitman in the first round.

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In womens doubles,Sania Mirza and Chia-Jung Chuang of Chinese Taipei will play Turkeys Ipek Senoglu and Belgian Yanina Wickmayer in their opener.