Nadal beat Gasquet in US Open
Published:Wednesday | September 2, 2009 | 6:25 PM
World Number Three Rafael Nadal was in fine form on his return to Grand Slam action, as he swept past Richard Gasquet today to reach the US Open second round.
The third seed, who missed Wimbledon with tendonitis in both knees, powered to a 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 victory.
Earlier, France\'s Gael Monfils, the 13th seed, cruised into the second round with a 6-1, 6-4, 6-3 win over compatriot Jeremy Chardy and former champion Marat Safin bowed out of his final Grand Slam with a straight-sets defeat by Austria\'s Jurgen Melzer.
Roger Federer will continue his quest for a sixth straight title against Simon Greul later.
In the women’s draw Venus Williams, with her left leg taped up, advanced to the third round.
Williams beat 124th-ranked Bethanie Mattek-Sands, also of the United States, 6-4, 6-2.
Other women’s winners today were Kim Clijsters, Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez and Flavia Pennetta.