RAFAEL NADAL continued his claycourt dominance yesterday by breezing into the semi-finals of the Mercedes Cup with a 6-1 6-3 victory over Argentinian Juan Monaco in Stuttgart.

Defending champion Roger Federer kicked off his bid for a hat-trick of US Open titles with an easy first-round victory over Yeu-Tzuoo Wang.

BIRTHDAY girl Justine Henin-Hardenne and former world number one Lleyton Hewitt moved into the French Open third round yesterday, booking their places before the rains returned to swamp Roland Garros.

Third seed and last year's runner-up Lleyton Hewitt will begin his quest for the Australian Open title with a first round match against Czech Robin Vik.

Mark Philippoussis is relishing his big Centre Court showdown with in-form Marat Safin today.

HOME crowd favourite Tim Henman rallied from a two-set deficit to defeat Jarkko Nieminen of Finland, 3-6, 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, 7-5, 6-2 on the second day of the Wimbledon tournament yesterday.

Andy Roddick roared past outclassed Czech Jiri Vanek to book his place in the Wimbledon second round today.

LINDSAY DAVENPORT is pursuing a dream in New York and displayed vintage form to begin her US Open challenge yesterday.