Nadal Thrashes Rochus In Quick Time

The Spaniard could hardly have been more impressive as he raced to victory in 77 minutes for the loss of just four games.

World number one Rafael Nadal provided an ominous demonstration of his Australian Open intentions by crushing Belgium's Christophe Rochus 6-0 6-2 6-2 in the first round on Tuesday.

The Spaniard could hardly have been more impressive as he raced to victory in 77 minutes for the loss of just four games.

Nadal wrapped up the first set in just 19 minutes, giving up only eight points, and was just as ruthless as he closed out the match.

"Sport is like this," Nadal said. "Today I played well, maybe he didn't play one of his best matches.

"I think the dangerous thing is if you are not playing with good concentration all the time."

Nadal has never won the Australian Open but has progressed further every time he has made the trip to Melbourne.

He reached the third round on his debut in 2004 and the fourth round a year later. He missed 2006 but made the quarter-finals in 2007 then the semi-finals last year.

He is among the favourites to win the title this year, along with Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, but said he was not thinking that far ahead.

"I'm just thinking about trying to play well myself," said the top seed, who will next face Croatia's Roko Karanusic.

"I have to think about my next match right now."

Nadal said he expected to get better with every match.

"The good thing is the win. I am so happy for the good start this year in the Australian Open," he said.

"I am happy about my performance today, for sure.

"The important thing is to serve like this when the pressure moments are on. So that's the things I have to continue working (on).

"I think I am always improving a little bit more. I have to continue."