Rafa Nadal made a successful Olympic singles debut on Monday, the Spaniard albeit needing three sets to beat Italy's Potito Starace 6-2 3-6 6-2.

Rafa, broke twice to take the first set. However, a running forehand pass from Starace allowed his opponent to go 2-0 up in the second. He then squandered five break points, with Starace surviving three deuces at 4-2 before eventually levelling - and taking a set off Rafa for the first time in five meetings.

But the 27-year-old's inspired form deserted him in the deciding set, with Starace netting at 2-3 for the initial break and again on Rafa's first match point.

"I had a very good first set and I'm happy about that," said Rafa, who only played in the doubles event in Athens four years ago.

"Then I had a break against in the second set and I had a lot of opportunities to break back but I couldn't, so that was tough.

"He had more problems than me when he was serving so that gave me a lot of confidence. Finally I got the break and match."

One world. One dream. One unforgettable start.

One of the most anticipated Olympic Games in history kicked off with a spectacular opening ceremony Friday night.

For four hours, a sellout crowd of 91,000 at the National Stadium and an estimated worldwide television audience of nearly 4 billion people were awed by an unprecedented pyrotechnic and audio-visual buffet, including our boy, Rafa Nadal.

Any doubts the world had about China's ability to host the 29th Olympiad were temporarily put on hold by a spellbinding hourlong preamble to the traditional athletes' entry into the stadium. For at least a little while, criticisms of the city's smog and heat, and the nation's dismal human rights history, were muted as thousands of performers chanted, danced, banged on drums and waved brightly colored light sticks.

This fulfills "the dream of the Chinese sportsmen for generations and also the common aspirations of 1.3 billion Chinese people, " said Li Ning, a gold medal-winning gymnast from China who lit the torch at the end of the ceremony. "The success of lighting the flame means the realization of China's 100-year-old dream."

An hour into the extravaganza, the bells and whistles gave way to the games' prime-time performers: the 10,000 men and women who will compete during the next two weeks.

The festively dressed contingent of athletes, most sweating while marching in the stultifying heat, included tennis standouts Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal, and basketball stars Kobe Bryant and the Hornets' Chris Paul of the United States, Yao Ming of China, Dirk Nowitzki of Germany and Manu Ginobili of Argentina. Each was stopped several times to pose for photos with star-struck peers as they made their way around the floor of the massive stadium, known informally as the Bird's Nest because of its architectural design of interwoven steel beams.

The pageantry was produced by artistic director Zhang Yimou, a blockbuster filmmaker in China and a multiple Academy Award nominee. He said it was his goal to celebrate China's rich cultural history throughout the ceremony and he did so by highlighting various customs, from paper-making to drumming to silk artistry to shadow boxing.

Even the ceremony's date, Aug. 8, 2008, and starting time, 8:08 p.m., were taken into account. The No. 8 is associated with prosperity in Chinese culture.

Among the highlights were a illuminating scroll that spanned 100 yards, a giant revolving globe that was raised from beneath the stadium floor and a human replica of the Bird's Nest formed by the limbs of gold-clad contortionists.

To bring the scenes to life, Zhang used 14,000 performers and 600 fireworks personnel. The fireworks displays extended beyond the stadium to incorporate the entire downtown footprint, lighting up the hazy night sky in brilliant, multicolored hues.

"For a long time, China has dreamed of opening its doors and inviting the world's athletes to Beijing for the Olympic Games, " said Jacques Rogge, the president of the International Olympic Committee, in his address to the crowd. "Tonight, that dream comes true. Congratulations, Beijing. You have chosen for the theme of these games, 'One World, One Dream.' That is what we are tonight."

The night's climax came after midnight local time, when Li was lifted from the stadium floor to the sky by suspension wires from the stadium roof. While suspended, the former three-time Olympic gold medalist circled the ringed opening in the roof as if defying gravity and made his way to a massive ornate torch affixed to the roof of the stadium, where he lit the ceremonial flame.

"This is the best memory of my life, " Li said.

An Olympic year in tennis begins with an additional demand to the difficult enough ask of a calendar Slam. Thereafter, the Olympics is a test of priorities and levels of motivation. In the midst of the change-of-guard in men’s tennis, the Olympics is both an experience and a distraction before the US Open. 

Before the 'Olympic experience' officially starts for the best players in the world though, the committee has revealed the singles draw for the tennis tournament in which Rafa will have to endure a very thought list of great tennis players. First up Italian Potito Starace.

Former world number one Lleyton Hewitt of Australia looms in the second round while in-form Andy Murray is a probable quarter-final opponent and third seed Novak Djokovic a likely semi-final foe.

MORE ABOUT THE GAMES AND THE PLAYERS

With the changing geography of the Games, players from Eastern Europe see sport playing a crucial role in shaping national identity. Performing on an Olympic stage is alien to most, but the thrill of representing their nations and in playing a role that’s routine for their countrymen, are definite attractions.

Fans hope for a Roger-Rafa clash in the Olympics, bringing forth a unique dimension to the compelling rivalry. How much difference will their records make in the quadrennial event? How would both respond to the stage, and how worthy would a medal be of pushing themselves and bringing the best out of each other?

Rafa will go in as one of the favorites for gold after the spectacular French-Wimbledon double.

The men should watch out for the threat of a floater. Players who emerge when national duties beckon see an opportunity in even the slightest betrayal of weakness.

Not for them is savouring the unique atmosphere of the Games, or in merely being part of the occasion. In the less intense atmosphere, they sense an occasion as good as any, in making an indelible mark.

Rafa Nadal found a novel way to zip around the Olympic Tennis Centre on Wednesday when he commandeered a space-age personal transporter.

The Spaniard was spotted riding a Segway, which resembles a pogo stick on wheels, around the maze of corridors beneath Centre Court as volunteers looked on in amazement.

More than 100 of the battery operated zero-emission vehicles are being used around Beijing's sports venues during the Games in a bid to help beat traffic fumes.

Rafa, one of the best movers on the tennis circuit, soon got to grips with his new set of wheels which operate by tilting the body backwards and forwards and leaning from side to side.

So taken with the device was he that he later rolled up on one for his second practice of the day, before handing it back to its rightful owner.

His opponents during the tennis event, which starts on Sunday, will be hoping Rafa, slows down by the time he gets on court.

Rafa couldn't be more pleased to have arrived in Beijing and is already soaking up all of the atmosphere the Olympic has to offer. He happily kicked a football during spare moments during a tennis training session with good friend Tommy Robredo.

Rafa said he's working to recover from his dash across the Pacific after playing last week in Cincinnati. “I'm more tired than normal”, he confessed. “I've had a lot of matches but I'm sure I'll feel fine in a few days”.

In contrast to other top tennis players who are using luxury hotels for their Olympic base, Rafa is sharing a room in the athletes' village with Robredo. “It's something a little different to what we are used to but it's good”.Rafa said that with his long-sought rise to the top of the ATP now assured, his total focus is on the Olympics as he competes in the Games for the first time.

Reuters

Chaos greeted Rafa Nadal after he arrived at Beijing international airport on Monday afternoon as a great number of press, fans and onlookers waiting for the nearly world No.1 Spaniard caused a stampede.

International media had set up a temporary press tribune where they were having an interview, but half way through, pandemonium broke out which somewhat drew their attention, only to see cameramen falling over each other for vantage positions to capture Rafa who was staring as if nothing was taking place.

In two weeks' time, the 22-year-old will automatically move up to world No. 1. In fact, he could have touched the top place immediately by winning in the Cincinnati tournament, but unfortunately was down by world No.3 Novak Djokovic.

But Rafa said he didn't care about that, he cared about his country. "I represent my country in the Olympics in Beijing, I will play the games in the best way I can," he said.

Rafa played men's doubles with Carlos Moya at Athens Olympics four years ago and he will play men's singles for the first time in Olympics in Beijing. "This is my first time to play singles games in Olympics, I don't have much expectations. I will enjoy the game," said Rafa.

That is Olympics for you. The party has started.

Rafa Nadal is mathematically set to be the new world No.1 one in two weeks, on Monday 18th of August after a semifinal loss to Novak Djokovic this evening at the Western & Southern Financial Group Masters in Cincinnati. 

Even though the third-seeded Serbian won in straight sets 6-1 7-5 and has unfortunately ended Rafa's 32-match winning streak, there is plenty for Rafa to smile about as he prepares himself to play the Olympic Games in China in a week.

Rafa, who spent a record 158 weeks as the world number two, assured himself of the top ranking with Friday's win over Nicolas Lapentti but will have to wait to claim his spot as the world's best men's player because Djokovic made surprisingly quick work of him.

Djokovic, who improved to 4-9 lifetime vs Rafa, fired four aces and recorded an astounding 76 percent (19-of-25) second-serve points to earn a spot in Sunday's final against eighth-seeded Scot Andy Murray.

Murray booked his spot in the final with a 6-4 6-4 triumph over number 16 Ivo Karlovic earlier Saturday, improving his record against the hard-serving Croat to 3-0. The 21-year-old Scot is through to his first championship since winning his second title of year at Marseille in February.

This has been a solid stretch for Murray, who reached the semi-finals in Toronto last week following a quarter-final appearance at Wimbledon. Coincidentally, he was eliminated from both of those events by Rafa, who has never lost to Murray in five meetings.

Rafa Nadal has marked a historic day in tennis with a quarter-final victory at the Cincinnati Masters today, ensuring the end of Roger's amazing 4 year run as one of the best world No.1 players this sport has had the pleasure of watching.

The patient Spaniard, who has chased the Swiss for three seasons in a good-natured rivalry, guaranteed he will claim the world No.1 ranking this month with a 7-6 (7-3) 6-1 victory over Ecuador's Nicolas Lapentti.

By reaching the semi-finals, Rafa is assured of overtaking Federer on August 18 at the latest.

If he can carry on to claim the title on Sunday he can claim No.1 on Monday, with the Beijing Olympic tennis competition due to start six days later.

Federer has held the world No.1 ranking for more than four years - his reign so far lasting 235 straight weeks. But his hopes of holding off Rafa ended with his third-round loss here to Croatian Ivo Karlovic.

"I'm so happy to be getting No.1," said Rafa, the winner of 30 career titles including five grand slams. "I fought hard to get here.

"I was also happy to be No.2, I won a lot of matches. It's been tough, I have a lot of matches on my back. The conditions are tough here.

"It's been tough to play well after winning Toronto last week."

Rafa will become the 24th player in the history of the ATP Rankings to hold the No.1 position and the third Spaniard to accomplish the feat, joining Carlos Moya (1999) and Juan Carlos Ferrero (2003).

He faces a semi-final challenge against third-seeded Novak Djokovic after the Serb defeated former tennis school friend Ernests Gulbis 6-3 6-4.

"I'll have to play better than tonight, I need to play my best-ever match at Cincinnati," Rafa said.

Lapentti, ranked 89th after standing inside the top 10 in 1999, last played a Masters Series quarter-final in Miami six years ago.

Rafa Nadal downed Tommy Haas in the third round of the Western & Southern Financial Group Masters on Thursday to edge closer to ending Roger Federer's record run as world number one.

Defending champion Federer suffered an early exit, going down 7-6 (8/6) 4-6 7-6 (7/5) to Croatia's Ivo Karlovic earlier in the day, opening the door for Rafa to end his streak of 235 weeks at the top of the rankings if Rafa wins the title on Sunday.

Rafael, who has won his last six tournaments, ousted Haas 6-4 7-6 (7/0). He had a chance to close it out in the 12th game, but Haas broke after fighting off a match point.

However, Rafa, who served eight aces and won 71% of his first-serve points, blew through the tiebreaker to end the match that lasted 122 minutes for his 31st consecutive win.

He will no face Ecuador's Nicolas Lapentti, who upset fifth seed David Ferrer on Wednesday.

Third-seeded Novak Djokovic could face Nadal in the semis after crushing unseeded Italian Andreas Seppi 6-1 6-2 in the third round.

Djokovic first needs to get past Ernests Gulbis of Latvia in the quarters after Gulbis moved into the round of eight with a 6-4 1-6 6-3 upset of seventh-seeded James Blake, the last American remaining in the draw.

Eighth seed Andy Murray continued his hot streak with a 6-3 6-3 victory over Russia's Dmitry Tursunov.