Nadal fights off Wawrinka to open Toronto Masters

World number one Rafael Nadal was made to work and number two Novak Djokovic had to sweat as they launched their North American hardcourt campaigns with battling second round wins at the Toronto Masters. Under a floodlit center court, Nadal was put to the test by Stanislas Wawrinka, needing two hours and 20 minutes and all his weapons to put away the stubborn Swiss 7-6 6-3. The opening set took a grueling 92 minutes before ending in a pulsating tiebreak that Nadal took 14-12, matching the longest tiebreak of his career. Wawrinka, who partnered Roger Federer to a doubles gold medal at the Beijing Olympics, looked determined to end both streaks and kept the pressure on Nadal. But Nadal, playing his first match since his Wimbledon victory in July, never panicked and seized control of the tiebreak and the second set to remain on course for a third Canadian title. While Nadal skipped off the court looking as if he could keep playing, Djokovic could barely stand after a gritty 7-5 7-5 win over Frenchman Julien Benneteau in sweltering midday conditions. It was a positive start to an important tournament for the Murray, who needs a good result in Toronto to keep Swede Robin Soderling from replacing him as world number four.