By Chris Soderstrom
Olympic gold medallist Rafael Nadal made it through to the second round of the US Open with a surprisingly hard-fought match against unseeded German Bjorn Phau on day one.
The top-seeded Spaniard was made to earn the 7-6 (4), 6-3, 7-6 (4) victory against his gritty opponent in a match lasting just under three hours. He will now play either Belgian Olivier Rochus or qualifier Ryler de Hart of the United States in the second round.
Requiring strapping for blisters in the match, the 22-year-old was uncharacteristically sloppy committing 35 unforced errors to 37 winners.
Nadal is attempting to become just the second player in 20 years to win in his first Grand Slam tournament as the World No. 1, matching the accomplishment of 1992 Roland Garros champion Jimmy Connors.
Meanwhile, Andy Murray stormed to the second round after a 6-3, 6-4, 6-0 win over Sergio Roitman.
Playing at the US Open with his highest Grand Slam seeding of No. 6, the Scot is hoping to erase a disappointing Beijing Olympics campaign and did just that with the impressive opening round victory at Flushing Meadows.