Entering the 2008 US Open as the World Number 1 for the very first time, tennis pro Rafael Nadal was greeted with a heart warming cheers and applause from the spectators at the Arthur Ashe Stadium Monday, August 25.  Even renowned Golfer Sergio Garcia graced the event to cheer on his fellow Spaniard.

The only hitch was that that the opponent of Rafael Nadal, the 136th-ranked Bjorn Phau was not ready to co-operate as would be expected of a journeyman qualifier against the Czar of the tennis universe. Due to this, Nadal most probably did not feel like a king despite having bagged gold at the just concluded Beijing Olympics and Wimbledon.

A jet-lagged and mentally tired Nadal took an unbelievable three-hour to oust his German opponent by 7-6 (7-4), 6-3, 7-6 (7-4).  Even though Rafael Nadal won the first round match in straight sets, the success did not come easy. The aggressive way in which Germany's 28 year old Bjorn Phau hit back the shots reminded one of Nadal playing against Roger Federer.