Top seed Rafael Nadal overcame fatigue and a defiant display by German qualifier Bjorn Phau to launch his bid for a first US Open crown with a 7-6, 6-3, 7-6 win in the first round on Monday.
The 22-year-old Spaniard, who clinched the Olympic men's singles title in Beijing only eight days ago, sealed a hard-fought victory in just under three hours on the Arthur Ashe Stadium court.
World number 136 Phau held his own in the opening set against the game's leading player before losing the tie-break 7-4 but was swept aside in the second in 46 minutes.
Nadal, this year's French Open and Wimbledon champion, surprisingly gifted a break with a double-fault when serving for the match at 5-4 in the third before claiming the tie-break 7-4. "To win in three sets is always a good result," the newly-crowned world number one told reporters.
The Spaniard has extended his win-loss record to a remarkable 71-8 this year, including eight titles and far more matches than any of his competitors have played.
Although not playing at his best on Monday, Nadal paid tribute to the quality of Phau's game.
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