Rafael Nadal and Naomi Osaka progressed to the second round of the ongoing US Open after winning their respective opening matches.
Three-time champion Nadal started his game on Tuesday at Arthur Ashe Stadium with supreme dominance and registered a 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 victory over Australia’s John Millman, who shocked the tennis world by defeating Roger Federer at the US Open last year.
“I’m very happy with the victory and very happy to be back in New York,” said Nadal after his win. “The first match is always a little bit new. Even if I’ve played here many times, the beginnings are not easy. The serve worked well tonight and while my backhand wasn’t as good as it can be, I am very happy.”
Nadal carried plenty of momentum into the US Open after claiming his 35th ATP Masters 1000 title at the Coupe Rogers in Montreal. The legendary lefty has made at least the semi-finals in eight consecutive tournaments.
Four of the Top 10 seeds on the bottom half of the draw lost on Tuesday, but Nadal was on the money since the starting of the game.
Nadal will next face another Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis.
Meanwhile, in women’s singles, defending champion Osaka overcame the second-set slump to take down the unseeded Anna Blinkova of Russia in three sets and advanced into the second round of the tournament.
The victory didn’t come easily as the top seed had to fight tooth and nail to claim victory at 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-2.
The Japanese will next face Poland’s Magda Linette, who lifted her first career WTA trophy at the Bronx Open last weekend. Linette defeated Astra Sharma of Australia to advance to set up clash against Osaka.
(With inputs from IANS)