Rafael Nadal beats Diego Schwartzman

A rusty Rafael Nadal was tested before overcoming Diego Schwartzman in the US Open second round.

The Spaniard battled more than the 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 7-5 scoreline suggested as Schwartzman matched it with him for long periods on Louis Armstrong Stadium.

Nadal, a 14-time grand slam champion, made 40 unforced errors and was down in each set before completing the straight-sets win.

Next up for Nadal, who is undefeated at Flushing Meadows since 2011, is Italian Fabio Fognini.

Nadal made a decent start and broke in the second game as he moved into a 5-2 first-set lead.

But the superstar left-hander was broken when serving for the set in the ninth game before falling 5-3 behind in the tie-break as the 170cm-Schwartzman started to dictate from the baseline.

Nadal would win four straight points from then on, sealing the set with a down-the-line forehand winner.

Nadal found himself behind again in the second set as a combination of depth and angles helped Schwartzman break for 2-0.

The world number 74 failed to consolidate and Nadal broke twice more to finish the set as he put himself in control.

Nadal had looked the more likely to break in the third until Schwartzman went 3-2 up, only for the 29-year-old to rally from behind once more.

And serving to stay in it in the 12th game, Schwartzman faltered - victory sealed for Nadal via a fortuitous net cord.