Rafael Nadal made light of a niggling wrist problem as he cruised past Denis Istomin in the US Open first round.
Nadal had to withdraw from both the French Open and Wimbledon earlier this year but showed few signs of discomfort in Arthur Ashe Stadium as he beat Istomin 6-1 6-4 6-2.
The Spaniard will now face Andreas Seppi in the second round at Flushing Meadows after the Italian overcame Frenchman Stephane Robert 6-2 3-6 6-4 6-3.
Elsewhere on Monday, seventh seed Marin Cilic saw off Brazilian Rogerio Dutra Silva 6-4 7-5 6-1 and 10th seed Gael Monfils beat Gilles Muller 6-4 6-2 7-6 (7/5).
All eyes, however, were on Nadal's fitness and form, with Novak Djokovic opening the night session and Andy Murray not in action until Tuesday.
Nadal played with his troublesome left wrist heavily bandaged and, while he seemed unrestricted, hitting 14 of his 21 winners off the forehand, the 30-year-old said he still lacks confidence on that side.
"I am hitting very well the backhand, but it's true that the forehand I need time. I need confidence and I need to keep practicing the forehand," Nadal said.
"It's not easy to go two months-and-a-half out of competition in the middle of the season without hitting a forehand. I need to have the confidence again with my wrist.
"That is coming, because I feel the wrist much better, and every day feel that the wrist is a little bit better. That's very important thing for me. The most important thing."
This was Nadal's first grand slam match since retiring injured at the French Open in May but he insists the Olympics in Rio, where he won gold in the doubles and reached the singles semi-final, gave him invaluable preparation.
Nadal was forced to miss the Games with a knee problem four years ago and he questioned those who opted not to compete in Brazil, where no rankings points were on offer.
"For me personally, the Olympics is the closest thing to a grand slam," Nadal said.
"That's my feeling and I can understand some players that are a little bit older and they decided to not go because they have been there.
"If they believe that there is no chances for medals I could understand, but some young players that choose not to go there, it's difficult to understand, no?
