Rafael Nadal had to battle to beat Australian wildcard Alun Jones in his opening round tie at the US Open.
Nadal overcomes bad knees to beat Australian
Rafael Nadal needed four sets to battle past Australian wildcard Alun Jones in his opening round tie at the US Open at Flushing Meadows.
The Spanish number two seed had both knees heavily strapped and had to receive treatment on his left knee during the match, which he eventually won 7-5 3-6 6-4 6-1.
World number 123 Jones hit back from losing a tight opening set to level the match up, before getting the upper hand in the third set by going 4-3 ahead with a break of serve.
Nadal was forced to dig deep, but he did, and he managed to not only break back but go on a run of eight straight games to take the third set and take charge of the fourth.
The French Open champion and Wimbledon finalists this year completed the victory but will know he has been in a match, while his knee problems will cause him some concern ahead of a gruelling tournament.
"I have to improve a little bit in the knees if I want to do anything in the tournament," Nadal said.
"It was a tough match. First round always is. Alun Jones is a difficult player. I played a good match and I can win, finally.
"I will just try to feel better in two days for the next match."
Safin struggle
Former US Open champion Marat Safin was pushed all the way by Canadian qualifier Frank Dancevic before he eventually won his first match of the tournament 7-5 7-6 7-6.
The 25th seeded Russian, who won at Flushing Meadows seven years ago, had to dig deep to outlast his opponent in a two-hour, 25-minute battle at the Luis Armstrong Stadium.
27-year-old Safin trailed 5-2 in the second set before forcing and winning the tie-breaker, while he also trailed 6-5 in the third before he eventually won through on a third-set tie-break.
Safin's compatriot Mikhail Youzhny made more serene progress into the second round as he defeated Frenchman Nicolas Devilder 6-0 6-1 6-2.
American Robby Ginepri was also comfortable as he beat Belgium's Olivier Rochus 6-0 6-3 6-1, while Philipp Kohlschreiber beat Mariano Zabaleta 6-2 6-2 6-4.
Tommy Robredo of Spain, the eighth seed for the tournament, reached the second round courtesy of a 6-3 7-6 6-1 win over Bobby Reynolds.
