Rafael Nadal made a winning return to 2013 US Open after missing last year’s event through injury as he defeated Ryan Harrison in first round before rain prevented Roger Federer getting on court.
Second seed Nadal had to watch the 2012 edition of the New York Grand Slam from the sidelines due to a knee injury which kept him out of action for seven months.
Having made his return to the tour in February the Spaniard has enjoyed a successful year overall and comes into the US Open having not been beaten on a hard court all year.
The 2010 champion stretched his record on the surface to 17-0 with a straight sets win over American Harrison on Arthur Ashe on Monday, breaking his opponents serve five times as he strolled to a 6-4 6-2 6-2 win.
Nadal and Harrison were interrupted by a short rain delay in the second set before being able to finish their match. Unfortunately Federer wasn’t so lucky as his game with Grega Zemlja was put back until Tuesday due to the weather.
The five-time US Open champion will hope to avoid an upset against his Slovakian opponent having struggled for form since his second round exit at Wimbledon.
One man who couldn’t avoid an early departure from Flushing Meadows was Japan’s 11th seed Kei Nishikori, who was ousted by British qualifier Dan Evans 6-4 6-4 6-2.
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