World number one Rafael Nadal defeated Dusan Lajovic 7-6 (8-6) 6-2 6-2 to qualify for the second round of the US Open at Flushing Meadows.
The match was played in an enclosed stadium due to the heavy rain in New York with the Serb Lajovic serving for the first set and Nadal breaking back to love.
After taking the first set on a tie-break, the Spaniard dominated against the world number 85.
“At the beginning, I felt he was controlling the points too many times,” 15-time Grand Slam champion Nadal said. “But I played a good point at 6-6, then hit a good winner to win the set. Then everything was changing.
“The first round is never easy, there are nerves out here when you play in his amazing place.”
Nadal will face Japan’s Taro Daniel or American Tommy Paul next.
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