Nadal eases into US Open third round

Rafael Nadal, of Spain, pumps his fist after defeating Rogerio Dutra Silva, of Brazil, during the second round of the 2013 U.S. Open tennis tournament, Thursday, Aug. 29, 2013, in New York. AP Photo/Charles Krupa

NEW YORK – Second seed Rafael Nadal moved comfortably into the US Open third round on Thursday with a 6-2, 6-1, 6-0 win over Brazilian journeyman Rogerio Dutra Silva.

The victory took the second-seeded Spaniard’s 2013 record to 55 wins against just three losses and edged him closer to a potential quarter-final clash with old rival Roger Federer.

“I was solid with the serve which is always important,” said Nadal, whose hardcourt record this year now stands at 17-0 thanks to his 92-minute triumph on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

“I played better as the match developed. It was great to be back on court in the night session for the first time in two years. It’s amazing, it’s a great court.”

Dutra Silva, the world number 134, had come through qualifying and saved seven match points in his opening round victory over Vasek Pospisil, which was also the 29-year-old Brazilian’s first win on the main tour this year.

It was not the sort of form which was going to trouble the world number two.

Nadal, with nine titles under his belt since his return from a seven-month injury lay-off in February, swept to victory courtesy of eight breaks of serve and 30 winners.

The 2010 US Open winner and 12-time Grand Slam champion next faces Croatia’s Ivan Dodig, the world number 38, who surprisingly beat him the last time they met on hardcourt in Montreal in 2011.

“Dodig is a tough player. I lost to him the last time in a tough, close match. He has had two good wins here over Fernando Verdasco and Nikolay Davydenko. He’s very dangerous,” said Nadal.