• US Open - Men's Draw

Nadal passes tough Istomin test

Rafael Nadal rallied his way past Denis Istomin in straight sets © Getty Images

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Rafael Nadal was in ominous form as he overcame stern resistance from Denis Istomin in a challenging second round victory at the US Open, the top seed coming away a 6-2 7-6 7-5 winner.

It was just the sort of test Nadal might have been hoping for early in the tournament as he was forced to approach his best tennis by Istomin's gallant effort. The improving Uzbek reached his first ATP Tour final in the Pilot Pen lead up event and he was in no mood to leave centre court without a fight.

Nadal proved too good though, the Spaniard's court coverage frustrating Istomin into 40 unforced errors. Nadal's 32 winners were just about matched by his opponent's 30, but the world No.1 made 15 less errors than Istomin, his patience paying off in the longer rallies.

The match was notable for Nadal's serve of 134mph, his fastest ever. With an improved delivery in his arsenal, it could yet be the year for Nadal to complete his set of Grand Slams by winning for the first time in New York.

Home favourite John Isner managed to find a way past some stubborn resistance in the form of Marco Chiudinelli to seal his place in the third round.

The big-serving American found his consistency wanting throughout but after claiming a tight third set 9-7 in the tiebreak, Chiudinelli's confidence began to wane and Isner closed out the match with a second-serve ace.

Frenchman Michael Llodra backed up his surprising win over seventh seed Tomas Berdych with a 7-6(2) 6-4 6-2 victory over Victor Hanescu. Tommy Robredo saved some energy as his opponent Julien Benneteau was forced to retire during their second set tiebreak.

Gilles Simon's reward for his taxing five-set upset of 29th seed Philipp Kohlschreiber is a meeting with Nadal. Stanislas Wawrinka had an easier time in his straight sets win over Juan Ignacio Chela but his third-round opponent Andy Murray is no more appealing.

Russian twelfth seed Mikhail Youzhny safely progressed at the expense of Dudi Sela. Fellow seeds Sam Querrey and David Nalbandian also moved to the third round, both men securing straight sets victories.

Feliciano Lopez squeezed past Benoit Paire in a five-set marathon, while Fernando Verdasco oozed class in his 6-1 6-2 6-2 thrashing of Adrian Mannarino.

Daniel Gimeno-Traver will meet fellow Spaniard David Ferrer in the third round after knocking out Jeremy Chardy. Ferrer dumped out Benjamin Becker in straight sets.

No.14 seed Nicolas Almagro also won through on a day largely devoid of upsets, topping Guillermo Garcia-Lopez in four sets.

Sergiy Stakhovsky won a marathon five-setter in a deciding tiebreak after over four hours of play against American Ryan Harrison.

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