Former runner-up Rusedski falls in first round

NEW YORK, Aug 30 (Reuters) -- Former runner-up Greg Rusedski squandered two match points on Monday as he was beaten in the first round of the U.S. Open for the second year in succession.

The Briton, who was beaten by Australian Patrick Rafter in the 1997 final, held two match points in the final-set tiebreak against France's Cyril Saulnier but couldn't capitalise and lost 6-4 3-6 6-1 3-6 7-6 in just under three hours.

Saulnier, the world number 62, beat Rusedski in their only previous meeting in January and began in confident fashion when he took the first set in 33 minutes.

Rusedski showed his customary resolve to fight back twice to force a deciding set.

But after the Briton forced two match points, Saulnier hit two backhand winners in succession to win it 9-7 and claim his place in the second round.

Saulnier will now face either 19th seed Nicolas Kiefer of Germany or another Frenchman Nicolas Mahut in round two.

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