Third seed Daniil Medvedev faced little trouble in the first round of the US Open as he eased past Federico Delbonis 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 to open up the night session on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The Russian, who pushed Rafael Nadal to five sets in last year's final, hit 27 winners and saved both break points he faced while breaking the Argentine's serve five times in the one hour, 48 minute contest.
Medvedev sails past Delbonis into second round
After an easy hold to begin the match, Medvedev broke for a 2-0 lead when Delbonis hit a forehand into the net. After another quick hold, the Russian penetrated the Argentine's serve for a second time to go in front 4-0.
Delbonis finally got on the board two games later, saving a set point, but it mattered little as Medvedev clinched the set after just 33 minutes when the world number 87 fired a backhand into the net. He was immediately broken in the second set after a forehand error.
Medvedev was cruising and he was up a double break after a forehand volley into the open court after pushing Delbonis from side to side. A hold made it 4-0 before the Argentine would get on the board. He held again to cut the deficit to 5-2, winning consecutive points from 30-30.
Serving for the set, the third seed reached 40-15 and after missing on a backhand on his first set point, he was ahead two sets to none after Delbonis sailed a forehand well over the baseline. The Argentine made a better start to the third set with solid holds to go in front 2-1.
He was soon in trouble in his next service game, falling behind 15-40. After saving the first break point, he got Medvedev in a defensive position and looked to finish the point at net, but his volley went just wide and the Russian was ahead 3-2. The remainder of the match was routine and an unreturnable serve on match point capped off a thorough victory.