US Open 2017: Rafael Nadal begins campaign with battling victory over Dusan Lajovic

Updated 30/08/2017 at 00:39 GMT

World number one Rafael Nadal overcame a shaky first set to beat Serbian Dusan Lajovic 7-6 (6) 6-2 6-2 in the US Open first round.

Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates defeating Dusan Lajovic of Serbia & Montenegro after their first round Men's Singles match on Day Two of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 29, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood

Image credit: Getty Images

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It was far from vintage Rafa under the roof on Arthur Ashe Stadium, but the top seed proved too strong for Lajovic despite hitting 34 unforced errors to his 33 winners.

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Nadal fell 3-1 down in the opening set before breaking back when world number 85 Lajovic was serving for the set at 5-4.

A tight tie-break followed, but the Spaniard prevailed 8-6 to take the opener, having squandered his first set point with a double fault.

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The 31-year-old raced to a 3-0 lead in the second, and while he dropped serve in the following game, Nadal closed out the set 6-2.

Nadal broke early in the third, and went on to serve out for the remainder of the set to book his place in the second round after two hours and 20 minutes on court.