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NEW YORK, Aug 29 (Reuters) World number one Rafael Nadal overpowered American qualifier Ryler DeHeart 6-1 6-2 6-4 yester to reach the third round of the US Open.
Top-seeded Nadal, who was pushed to two tiebreakers by German qualifier Bjorn Phau in the first round, blasted his way past DeHeart, losing serve just once in the battle of left-handers that closed the fourth day of play yesterday.
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 first grand slam, back to earth by winning the next five 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.
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