World number one Rafael Nadal reached the US Open second round on Tuesday with a 7-6 (8/6), 6-2, 6-2 win over Serbia’s Dusan Lajovic.
Two-time champion Nadal will face either Taro Daniel of Japan or Tommy Paul of the United States for a place in the last 32. The 31-year-old Spaniard recovered from 3-5 down in the opening set against the 85th-ranked Lajovic, who has never won a match in New York.
“When I was down in the first set, I just tried to be there as he was playing well and controlling the points,” said French Open champion Nadal, who is chasing a 16th major.
“But the end of the first set was very important. I got the break back and after that, everything changed.”