NEW YORK — Second-seeded Rafael Nadal looked dominant in his first-round US Open match, easily defeating Australian John Millman 6-3, 6-2, 6-2.
Nadal, who is undefeated in US Open first rounds, might have had reason to worry about Millman, who upset Roger Federer last year in the fourth round at Flushing Meadows. But the 60th-ranked Australian could not compete with Nadal from the baseline. The Spaniard capped his workmanlike victory with a clean forehand winner.
Nadal improved to 56-2 in opening matches at majors. That’s the second-best win percentage in such matches in the Open Era. Defending US Open champion Novak Djokovic is percentage points ahead of Nadal because he has one more win.
Next up for Nadal is another Australian, Thanasi Kokkinakis, a wild-card entry ranked 203rd.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.