MELBOURNE, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- Big names Rafael Nadal and David Nalbandian won their opening matches at the Australian Open on Tuesday although the latter were pushed to the brink in searing heat.

    Nadal overcame a first-set scare from American Robert Kendrick before winning 7-6 (8-6) 6-3 6-2.

    The Spanish world No. 2 had the benefit of playing indoors after the roof at Rod Laver Arena was closed once the tournament's extreme heat policy came into effect shortly after midday.

    Nalbandian, the No. 8 seed, lost the opening two sets of his first-round clash with Serb Janko Tipsarevic.

    But the Argentinian fought back to level it at two sets all and was leading 2-1 when an exhausted Tipsarevic was forced to withdraw.