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NEW YORK, (US) - WORLD number one Rafael Nadal overpowered American qualifier Ryler DeHeart 6-1 6-2 6-4 on Thursday to reach the third round of the US Open.
Top-seeded Nadal, who was pushed to 2 tiebreakers by German qualifier Bjorn Phau in the 1st round, blasted his way past DeHeart, losing serve just once in the battle of left-handers that closed the fourth day of play.
The 22-year-old Spaniard was in total command, landing 70 percent of his first serves and facing just one break point from the DeHeart, who cashed it in and led 3-0 in the third set.
Nadal brought the 24-year-old American, ranked #261 and playing in his 1st grand slam, back to earth by winning the next 5 games and then closing out the match with a sizzling forehand winner to serve out his victory.
Nadal, the French Open, Wimbledon, and Olympics winner, next meets 71st-ranked Viktor Troicki of Serbia. -- REUTERS
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