Clay king Rafael Nadal was caught out as London drizzle prevented the double French Open champion making his start on grass at the Queen's club event.

Nadal was to have teamed-up in doubles with fellow Spaniard Feliciano Lopez. But poor weather that set in during the afternoon finally forced the abandonment of day two matches as light faded in early evening.

The conditions also put back the start for three-time champion Andy Roddick, who was to open in the second round against Canadian qualifier Frank Dancevic after a first-round bye.

Wednesday, with weather again a major uncertainly, should feature a packed-out programme at the prime Wimbledon tune-up event.

Nadal will open against American Mardy Fish, who earned a 6-1, 6-3 first-round victory over Briton Jamie Baker Tuesday.

Nadal has limited grass experience, with a 3-3 career record on the surface.

He is playing Queen's, considered the top warm-up for Wimbledon, for the first time after losing in the Halle first round a year ago in the wake of his first Paris title success.

Nadal, who began this season inactive with a foot injury, is still digesting the enormity of his Roland Garros run to glory.

"A Grand Slam title is special. This was my second time and it was not an easy situation after my injury. This is a special feeling," he said.

"Winning again was a big surprise for me."

Three seeds advanced, with number nine Robby Ginepri defeating fellow American Paul Goldstein 3-6, 7-5, 6-1.

Russian Dmitry Tursunov, the number 15, beat Brit Alex Bogdanovic 7-6 (7/4), 6-4 while 16th seed Paradorn Srichaphan won his first match in two months.

After going 0-7 on clay, the Thai began redeeming himself, defeating Dick Norman 6-4, 7-6 (7/5).

Besides Nadal and Roddick, second seed Ivan Ljubicic, number four Nikolay Davydenko, plus Australians Lleyton Hewitt and struggling Mark Philippoussis are all set to play on Wednesday.
?
(AFP via CRI June 14, 2006)