Rafael Nadal took on Louisiana-born Ryan Harrison in the opening-day main event at this year's US Open.
Second seed and 12-time Grand Slam winner Nadal began the week as the favourite to win the men's title at Flushing Meadows.
The 27-year-old Spaniard was unbeaten on hardcourts in 2013, having won 15 consecutive matches and picking up titles in Indian Wells, Montreal and Cincinnati.
Meanwhile, 21-year-old Harrison, who was ranked 97th in the ATP World Rankings, had failed to progress beyond the final-32 stages in his last three tournaments on this surface.
Would there be an upset, or would Nadal's sensational run continue? Find out how the match unfolded below with Sports Mole's blow-by-blow text updates.
Good evening. One male seed has already fallen today. British number three Dan Evans, ranked 179th in the world, overcame 11th seed Kei Nishikori 6-4 6-4 6-2. That result was certainly a shock, but its place on the back pages would be in severe doubt if Nadal were to lose to Harrison.
PREDICTION: I'm going to stick my neck on the line and say that WON'T happen. I fully expect Rafa to progress in straight sets.
These two players have only faced each other on one previous occasion. Earlier this year, they met at Indian Wells, where Nadal prevailed 7-6 6-2.
Nadal and Harrison have appeared inside a breezy Arthur Ashe Stadium. The match is due to begin in around six minutes.
Tonight's umpire is Greece's Eva Asderaki.
Harrison to serve first. Play is just moments away...
Harrison fails to make first serves in the opening two points and he is immediately punished by Nadal 0-30.
The American then finds two big first serves to level the game at 30-30.
BREAK POINT NADAL: Rafa has just hit the shot of the tournament so far... Deep behind the baseline and returning a Harrison overhead, he somehow manages to raise his racquet above his head and whip a forehand pass beyond the American, who is at the net.
NADAL BREAKS: Ominous start for Harrison as Nadal breaks to 30 in game one.
Rafa consolidates his break by holding to 30. The Spaniard is far from delighted though, having produced two double faults in that game.
Harrison holds to love.
Despite Harrison being an American, the majority of the crowd appears to be behind Rafa tonight.
Hope for Harrison as two unforced errors hand him a 0-30 lead on Rafa's serve.
Harrison twice goes long with forehands, before Nadal wins a thrilling point with a slice volley at the net. 40-30.
Nadal holds to 30.
Harrison spurns three game points from 40-0 as Nadal battles back to force deuce...
BREAK POINT NADAL: Harrison is clearly frustrated and it shows as he produces his seventh unforced error.
Big hold for Harrison! The American saves break point as Nadal's forehand drifts wide. He then produces two huge aces to close the game out.
Nadal holds to 30.
Harrison's forehand is misfiring right now. He floats one wide, before slamming one into the net. 0-30.
Great recovery by Harrison. After Nadal slices a backhand into the net, the American takes the next two points with brilliant drop shots at the net. 40-30.
Both players come to the net in the following point, which sees Nadal win an protracted exchange of volleys when Harrison slices wide. Deuce.
BREAK POINT NADAL: Harrison reaches game point, but then comes up with back-to-back double faults.
For the second consecutive service game, Harrison survives break point and holds to 40. He is still in this opening set - just.
Nadal finds himself under a bit of pressure at 15-30. However, he then switches to ultra-agressive mode, displaying expert agility at the net and holding to 30.
Harrison will now serve to stay in the set...
No problem for the American, who holds to 15. However, he must now break Nadal to keep the opener alive...
FIRST SET NADAL: The world number two holds to 15 and takes the opener 6-4 courtesy of a solitary break of serve.
That first set lasted 44 minutes and Nadal did not face a single break point during it.
However, in total, the Spaniard only won two more points than his opponent (34-32).
Harrison holds to 15 in the opening game of set two, meaning that, for the time being, he takes the lead in the total points won competition.
Nadal quickly levels by holding to 15.
NADAL BREAKS: Nadal takes control of the second set in a flash, breaking to 15 with some unstoppable baseline hitting.
IT'S SPITTING! Light drizzle begins to fall from the New York sky, prompting umpire Asderaki to temporarily suspend play. However, it looks like it is only a passing shower and the players are staying on court for now.
The rain has stopped, ball boys are drying the lines with towels and, to the delight of many in the crowd, Nadal is changing his shirt. Gun show.
Play resumes.
Nadal appears unfazed by the 12-minute delay as he holds to love.
The Spaniard has been fantastic at the net today, winning 10 of 12 points.
Harrison holds to 30.
Nadal holds to 15.
Harrison produces two unforced errors, as 40-15 quickly becomes deuce. If Nadal breaks in this game, the set will surely be over.
NADAL BREAKS: Two more ugly errors from Harrison. Not only has his serve been broken, it appears Nadal has broken his spirit too.
SECOND SET NADAL: The Spaniard seals the set with an ace as he holds to love.
Anyone for a New York bagel? I fancy that one could be on the menu in set three. Nadal is really firing now and, in truth, Harrison looks like he is feeling a bit sorry for himself.
Credit to Harrison as he finds three big first serves to kick off set three. 40-0.
BREAK POINT NADAL: Oh no! This is painful watching. Harrison loses his head and his service could soon follow. Four errors, three of them unforced, turn the game on its head and Nadal is now chomping at the bit, looking for his fourth break.
NADAL BREAKS: Harrison pushes a cumbersome forehand long and Nadal claims an early break - just as he did in sets one and two.
Nadal holds to 15.
Sport is supposed to be fun, but Harrison looks like he could go all Sabine Lisicki and burst into tears at any moment. The crowd has also gone a bit flat. Rafa is playing very well, but this is not a contest.
NADAL BREAKS: Harrison spurns two more game points and Rafa punishes him by breaking again courtesy of a stunning backhand pass.
TWO BREAK POINTS FOR HARRISON: Shock! A combination of fearless, almost apathetic, ball striking from Harrison and a momentary period of slackness from Rafa provide the American with his first break points of the match. 15-40.
Rafa reels off four straight points and holds to deuce. Perhaps the Spaniard was simply teasing his opponent?
HARRISON HOLDS: The American, who failed to convert game points in games one, three and four in this third set, holds to 30 in game five and avoids the indignity of a bagel.
Nadal holds to 30. He is just one game away from round two.
Harrison holds to 15.
Nadal appeared to be saving his energy in the last game. He will surely up the tempo now, as he serves for the match...
GAME SET AND MATCH NADAL The tournament favourite justifies his reputation, holding to 15 to seal a 6-4 6-2 6-2 victory in round one.
Thanks for joining Sports Mole for tonight's match. I think Rafa deserves to have the final word, so here he is...
Nadal: "I am very happy to be back in New York. I missed this tournament last year, so I am very emotional to return and play in front of this great crowd." What a charmer! Good night.
Written by
Robert Summerscales
Robert Summerscales
