US OPEN: Nadal admits there is work to do after first round victory

By Sportsbeat staff

RAFAEL Nadal began his quest for the only major title missing from his collection with a confident first round victory at the US Open.

ALL BLACK: Rafael Nadal claimed he was happy with his serving but took until the third set before earning the decisive break against Teymuraz Gabashvili in his US Open first round match (Reuters)

But the world number one - who is seeking his third successive Slam title at Flushing Meadow following wins at Roland Garros and Wimbledon - didn't have it all his way against Russia's Teymuraz Gabashvili.

The opening two sets went to tie-breaks before the Spaniard - at his least comfortable on quick hard court surfaces - finally converted a break point at the eighth attempt in the seventh game of the third set, progressing 7-6, 7-6, 6-3 in just under three hours.

"It was a tough match but my served worked well and that's good," said Nadal.

"To win here I need to serve well and that is my focus. I'm working hard to improve that part of my game."

Former finalist Novak Djokovic was taken the distance as he struggled with the searing temperatures in New York.

The Serbian was 2-1 down before rallying to beat friend and Davis Cup team-mate Viktor Troicki 6-3, 3-6, 2-6, 7-5, 6-3 to set up a meeting with Germany's Philipp Petzschner.

"Give credit to Viktor because he was playing well and serving incredibly," said Djokovic.

"If I'd lost it would have been deserved but just couple of points changed the match and I was just fortunate.

"I've been in that situations before, playing a lot of long matches in very difficult conditions and feeling exhausted.

"I didn't feel great physically and he took advantage."

Elsewhere, eighth seed Fernando Verdasco recovered from a sluggish start to beat Italy's Fabio Fognini 1-6, 7-5, 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 while David Nalbandian was also taken the distance before progressing 7-6, 3-6, 6-4, 6-7, 6-4 against South African Rik de Voest.