PARIS (Reuters):

CHAMPION RAFAEL Nadal pulled rank over a teenaged pretender and Roger Federer enjoyed a brisk workout when the world's top two players began their pursuit of the French Open crown yesterday.

World number one Federer completed a clinical 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 first-round win over American Michael Russell in a contest which spilled over to a second day after drizzle had washed away all but 14 matches on the opening two days of the claycourt event.

Juan Martin Del Potro appeared to be getting out of hand when he grabbed a 5-3 lead in the opening set against Nadal, but it was not long before the Spaniard restored order and recorded a 7-5, 6-3, 6-2 win.

"It was tough mentally as he had less pressure on him, and that made him very dangerous," said Nadal, who has never been beaten at Roland Garros and is aiming for a hat-trick of titles.

Andy Roddick and Nadia Petrova suffered a recurring nightmare, sliding out in the first round for the second year running. American third seed Roddick was once again tormented by the red clay with a 3-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 defeat by Igor Andreev, while 11th seed Petrova was humiliated 7-5, 5-7, 6-0 by 182nd ranked qualifier Kveta Peschke.

Chilean fifth seed Fernando Gonzalez will also be leaving Paris early following a 6-2, 6-2, 6-4 humbling by Radek Stepanek.

Roddick's thunderbolt deli-veries had little effect on a surface slowed by the wet weather and against a player who, until nine days ago, had held the honour of being the last man to beat Nadal on clay in 2005.