Federer, Nadal back with routine wins

World number one Roger Federer and defending champion Rafael Nadal returned from vacation to post routine first-round wins at the Toronto Masters on Tuesday.

Back in action for the first time since their Wimbledon showdown, Federer celebrated his 25th birthday by easing past Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu 6-3 6-4, while Nadal shook off the rust with a 6-3 6-2 victory over Chile's Nicolas Massu.

Federer and Nadal, the world's two outstanding players, have met in five finals this year and appear headed for another clash on Sunday.

The muscular Spaniard and silky smooth Swiss have taken ownership of the men's game, winning six of the last seven grand slams and 12 of 14 Masters Series events, including the last two Toronto Masters.

Federer, who spent a month off savouring a fourth consecutive Wimbledon title, was typically efficient, improving his season's hardcourt record to 29-1, his only loss coming to Nadal in the Dubai final.

Federer, the 2004 Toronto champion, will next meet in-form Frenchman Arnaud Clement, who won his second title of the season on Sunday in Washington and strolled into the second round by crushing Spain's Alberto Martin 6-1 6-2.

"I was home last year so it's good to be back on the road again for my birthday," said Federer, who was presented with a cake while the centre court crowd sang Happy Birthday.

After a month lay-off spent fishing and visiting Euro Disney, Nadal laboured against the feisty Chilean, particularly in a tough opening set that lasted 68 minutes.

The momentum from claiming his second title of the season in Poland on Sunday was not enough to carry a weary Nikolay Davydenko to victory.

The Russian was a first-round casualty, falling 6-3 7-5 to Xavier Malisse. Third seed David Nalbandian and No. 10 Marco Baghdatis have also exited the competition.

Marat Safin's up-and-down season continued when he was bundled out in the first round 7-5 5-7 6-2 by seventh seed Tommy Robredo of Spain.

Australian 11th seed Lleyton Hewitt narrowly avoided a first round exit, rallying past Juan Ignacio Chela 3-6 6-2 7-5 in a two hour, 35 minutes marathon.

German 16th seed Tommy Haas continued his domination of Max Mirnyi, disposing of the Belarussian 6-3 6-3 to register his eighth win in nine career meetings.

Murray vs Henman

Andy Murray overcame a late wobble to dispatch Spaniard David Ferrer 6-2 7-6 and set up a clash between Britain's tennis future and its past.

The 19-year-old Murray, who has replaced Tim Henman as the British number one, will have the chance to confirm the changing of the guard when they meet in the second round.

It will be the second time the Britons have faced each other on court, Murray beating Henman indoors at Basle last October in three sets.

¤ Nadia Petrova became the first big-name casualty of the Los Angeles Open as Serena Williams won her opening match in convincing style on Tuesday. Second seed Petrova lost 6-3 6-2 to Spanish doubles specialist Virginia Ruano Pascual in the second round.

Williams, playing only her second tournament in seven months because of a chronic knee injury, breezed past 11th seed Maria Kirilenko of Russia 6-2 6-1 in a first-round match.