Bogdanovic looks ahead to Davis Cup

As Tim Henman fought to prevent a two-day British wipe-out at the US Open here yesterday, Greg Rusedski and Alex Bogdanovic were already thinking ahead.

As Tim Henman fought to prevent a two-day British wipe-out at the US Open here yesterday, Greg Rusedski and Alex Bogdanovic were already thinking ahead.

Both players lost in five sets on Monday. Rusedski held two match points against Cyril Saulnier, of France, and Bogdanovic recovered from 5-1 down in the fifth set and had break points for 5-5 before losing to Alex Calatrava, of Spain, 6-4.

Rusedski hopes to earn ranking points in an ATP tournament in Delray Beach, Florida, before joining the Davis Cup squad for the World Group play-off in Austria from 24 to 26 September. Bogdanovic is due to play in next week's Istanbul Challenger event prior to squad training on clay in La Manga, Spain.

Bogdanovic, the British No 4, spoke of his uneasy relationship with the Lawn Tennis Association, who cut his funding because they did not consider he worked hard enough.

"I've always been motivated, because I love tennis," the 20-year-old Bogdanovic said, "and the LTA support me when I need things. But they do not seem to understand that I need more time in the gym than on the court. We never got to compromise.

"Sometimes I would wake up feeling stiff, and there was no point going out to play. I needed to strengthen my body. I told them I would give it a go on my own, and my decision has made me a better player. It's how much you believe in yourself that really counts.'

Bogdanovic, who won a "dead" rubber in Britain's 4-1 defeat in Australia last year, was delighted to be recalled to the squad against Austria. "It shows everything is coming together," he said. "I told the LTA that although I'd be working on my own, Davis Cup was my priority.'

Todd Martin, who announced his retirement after his first-round loss to Fabrice Santoro, of France, is certain to be in demand on the coaching or administrative side of the sport. Martin, 34, served two terms as president of ATP Player Council. Although denied Grand Slam singles titles by American compatriots, Andre Agassi at the 1999 US Open and Pete Sampras at the 1994 Australian Open, Martin was always a dangerous opponent and is respected at every level of the game.

Agassi, three months older than Martin, won the opening match of his 19th consecutive US Open by defeating a compatriot, Robby Ginepri, 7-6, 6-4, 6-2.

Nicolas Massu, who won gold medals in singles and doubles in Athens, won his first round match here yesterday, defeating Jose Acasusco, of Argentina, 6-4, 6-0, 6-2.

Justine Henin-Hardenne opened her defence of the women's singles title with a 6-1, 6-4 win against Nicole Vaidisova, a Czech qualifier, which was not as straight forward as it may appear.

The 15-year-old Vaidisova took advantage of the world No 1's lapse of concentration to lead 4-1 in the second set. "I kind of went to sleep," said Henin, who snapped out of her torpor before Vaidisova could push her into a third set. "I had a few bad shots and it turned her way," Vaidisova said, "but it was a great experience to play the world No 1 in Arthur Ashe Stadium in my first Grand Slam."

¿ Fashion Note: The floozy look was evident on Monday. Serena Williams wore a blue denim skirt and warmed up in black, knee-high boots in Arthur Ashe Stadium. Bethanie Mattek, another American, sported a green and black frilled slip dress on Court 18. Williams won, Mattek lost, and both were fortunate not to be moved on.