Rusedski success held up by rain interruption

Greg Rusedski was on course for a winning return to action in the first round of the AAPT Championship when rain held up play in Adelaide yesterday.

The British No 2 was leading Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka, 6-4, 3-1, before the weather intervened.

Rusedski has been on the sidelines since losing both his singles matches in last September's Davis Cup defeat in Morocco.

The 30-year-old injured his back in that tie to cap a disastrous 2003, which also saw him suffer foot and knee problems.

James Blake battled past Jiri Novak, 4-6, 6-1, 7-5, to hand the United States victory over the Czech Republic in the Hopman Cup. Dressed in new kit and wearing brand new shoes - his luggage is somewhere between Los Angeles and Australia - the shaven-headed Blake had a few sticky moments at the Burswood Dome before dispatching the world No 13.

"He's a top player and has had my number in the past... that's why I'm so pleased to get the win," Blake said.

Earlier in the day, Lindsay Davenport - a late replacement for Serena Williams, who partnered Blake to the title here last year - put the Americans ahead with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Barbora Strycova.