RAFAEL NADAL stayed up late to watch his friend Rory McIlroy win golf’s US Open but was still fresh enough to start the defence of his Wimbledon title with a straight-sets win over Michael Russell yesterday.

Andy Murray overcame a spirited challenge from Daniel Gimeno-Traver under Wimbledon’s Centre Court roof to win their first-round encounter 4-6 6-3 6-0 6-0 this evening.

Thousands of fans were descending on Wimbledon today after long journeys and a weekend camping out near the ground.

Daniel Gimeno-Traver may be a new name to many Andy Murray fans but the man himself certainly knows what to expect when he walks out for his first round match on Wimbledon’s Centre Court this afternoon.

A potentially memorable final showdown between clay court king Rafael Nadal and in-form world number two Novak Djokovic at the Madrid Open moved a step closer last night as both players progressed through to the quarter-finals without any problems.

World number one Rafael Nadal was one of a host of seeds to progress into the third round of the Madrid Open today, with a mouth-watering showdown against Juan Martin Del Potro awaiting the Spaniard tomorrow.

World number one and six-time reigning champion Rafael Nadal made an effortless start to his defence of the Monte Carlo Rolex Masters.

Tomas Berdych became the first man through to the last 16 of the Shanghai Masters as he eased past Tommy Robredo in straight sets.

RAFAEL NADAL made smooth progress into the fourth round of the US Open with a straightforward win over Gilles Simon last night.

VENUS WILLIAMS reached the third round of the French Open for the ninth successive year yesterday, but found herself answering more questions about her outfit than her performance.

Roger Federer recovered from a first-set wobble to cruise into the third round of the French Open after a rain-hit victory over Alejandro Falla.

Third seed Novak Djokovic overcame a spirited start from Spaniard Daniel Gimeno-Traver to win his first-round match at the Australian Open today.

Andy Murray breezed through his first match for six weeks as he began his Valencia Open campaign.

Andy Murray did not have to be at his best as he wrapped up a comfortable victory in the first round of the Valencia Open 500.

Andy Murray will play his first match since September 20 in the Valencia Open later today.

LLEYTON HEWITT is targeting more Wimbledon success after dumping fifth seed Juan Martin Del Potro out in the second round.

Roger Federer feared for his French Open existence during his testing second-round win over Argentina’s Jose Acasuso today.

Novak Djokovic, Juan Martin del Potro and Gael Monfils were relentless today as they sealed their places in round two of the French Open.