Nadal, Federer win French openers

PARIS, May 25 (UPI) -- Defending champ and World No. 1 Rafael Nadal of Spain and three-time runner-up Roger Federer of Switzerland were first-round winners Monday at the French Open.

Nadal, the four-time defending champion with a record 29-0 in that period, beat Brazilian Marcos Daniel 7-5, 6-4, 6-3. Nadal, who turns 23 a week from Tuesday, has won three of the last four Grand Slam titles.

Federer, second-seeded and formerly ranked No. 1, beat Spaniard Alberto Martin 6-4, 6-3, 6-2.

Nadal, the reigning French Open, Australian Open and Wimbledon champion, has beaten Federer in the last three finals in Paris. He also beat Federer in this year's Australian Open and last year's Wimbledon finales.

Federer, the reigning U.S. Open champ, has 13 major titles. He needs one more Grand Slam championship to tie Pete Sampras for the all-time men's record and needs the French Open to complete a career Grand Slam.

Sixth-seeded American Andy Roddick, another former world No. 1, won his first match here in four years Monday, 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 over Frenchman Romain Jouan.