Ferrero makes early US Open exit

Flushing Meadows, New York, 27 August-9 September

Spain's Juan Carlos Ferrero became the first seed to exit the men's singles at the US Open after he lost 6-3 6-4 6-4 to compatriot Feliciano Lopez.

The 21st seed, a potential fourth-round opponent for Roger Federer, shrugged off his disappointing performance.

"It's just another tournament - I know it's a Grand Slam, but I lost in the second round last year and the world's still turning," said Ferrero.

Fourth seed Nikolay Davydenko defeated teenager Jesse Levine 6-4 6-0 6-1.

Davydenko has been caught up in a betting controversy involving his injury-affected defeat by Martin Vassallo Arguello, and the Russian admitted the issue was an unwelcome distraction.

"I've never gambled in my life and I don't know any guys who do," he said.

"It's difficult - it's like mentally you are tired, not physically. It would be good for me to take a rest and nobody hear nothing about me."

Ferrero finished runner-up to Andy Roddick at Flushing Meadows in 2003, but the Spaniard has struggled to rediscover that form on the hard courts in New York.

"I served so badly today," he said.

"The balls here don't help me because I like to hit with a lot of spin but when you hit the ball it's like they are dead.

"If you can serve big and hit the ball flat, it's better."

Lopez, the world number 60, will face Russia's Igor Andreev in the next round.

Federer will take on American qualifier Scoville Jenkins as he bids to become the first man to win four straight US Open titles since Bill Tilden in 1923.

Source: BBC Sport