NEW YORK – Rafael Nadal managed to win his first US Open match since 2013, despite dropping a set along the way.
Nadal, who collected two of his 14 Grand Slam titles at Flushing Meadows, moved into the second round with a 6-3, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 victory over 18-year-old Borna Coric of Croatia in Arthur Ashe Stadium.
On a muggy Monday night (Tuesday in Manila), Nadal said he felt dehydrated, and that's why his level of play dropped.
"I had some problems. I was sweating a lot," Nadal said after beating 18-year-old Coric in four sets in the US Open's first round.
Nadal said he "had a little bit of (a) stomach problem" and wasn't "physically perfect," which is why he lost the third set, before feeling stronger in the fourth.
"I recovered (a) little bit. I played, again, more aggressive," Nadal added.
The eighth-seeded Nadal missed last year's US Open because of a right wrist injury. He won the tournament in 2010 and 2013.
He said he doesn't think it was a big deal and shouldn't affect him Wednesday in the second round against Diego Schwartzman.
Coric, ranked 33rd, is the youngest member of the ATP's top 50. He had won his only previous matchup with Nadal, which came last year.
The Spanish superstar will see action with the Indian Aces this this December for the second season of the International Premier Tennis League. While the young Croat will lend his services to the Philippine Mavericks, formerly known as the Manila Mavericks.