IT was a day to forget for the United States at the French Open yesterday, with their nine-strong contingent of men’s singles players making history for the wrong reasons.

Second seed Rafael Nadal expressed his satisfaction at the ‘ease’ of his 7-6 (8-6) 6-3 6-2 win over American Robert Kendrick.

Andy Murray will have to improve his service return when he meets Andy Roddick in the semi-finals of the ATP SAP Open in San Jose, according to the man he defeated in the last eight.

Roger Federer is on track for a second Australian Open crown in three years after comfortably defeating Belorussian Max Mirnyi to reach the fourth round at Melbourne Park.

TOP men’s seed Roger Federer strode imperiously into the second round of the French Open in a performance which underlined his title credentials.

Wimbledon champion Roger Federer fired an ominous warning to rest of the tournament as he crushed Belgian Kristof Vliegen in straight sets to cruise into the second round of the French Open.

Lindsay Davenport has come through to the next round of the French Open in two sets against France's Nathalie Dechy.