1 Sep 2010

Nadal launches U.S. Open quest with powerful win

6:45 pm on 1 September 2010

The world tennis number one Rafael Nadal has made a determined start in his bid to complete a career grand slam with a 7-6 7-6 6-3 US Open win over Teymuraz Gabashvili.

Showing more power than ever in his serve , the 24-year-old Spaniard claimed the first two tiebreaks by 7-4.

The top seed Nadal registered the first service break of the high-quality match when the 93rd-ranked Russiani netted an easy forehand in the seventh game of the third set then closed the match with another break.

The eight-times grand slam champion and this year's French and Wimbledon champions, will next meet Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan, a straight sets winner over Maximo Gonzalez of Argentina.