Second seed Rafael Nadal made a confident start to his US Open title bid, crushing American wild card Bobby Reynolds 6-3 6-3 6-4 to reach the second round.

The Spaniard, who won his first grand slam title at the French Open earlier this year, outclassed the world number 132 in one hour, 51 minutes.

The 19-year-old Nadal, who has won eight titles this year but who has yet to go beyond round two at Flushing Meadows, cruised through the first set and, once he had saved a break point at 5-3 in the second, was in total command.

Ninth seed Gaston Gaudio of Argentina suffered a shock first-round defeat at the US Open, losing 7-6 6-2 6-4 to American wild card Brian Baker, the world number 195.

The former French Open champion was well below his best and Baker took full advantage to record his first victory at a grand slam event and only the fourth win of his career.

Once the 20-year-old Baker had taken the first set tiebreak 11-9, Gaudio, who has won five titles this year, offered little resistance and the American eased to victory in two hours, 29 minutes.

Women's fourth seed Kim Clijsters launched her US Open campaign with a 6-1 6-2 thrashing of German qualifier Martina Mueller in the first round.

The in-form Belgian, who has won six tournaments this year, outclassed her 135th-ranked opponent with the punishing baseline shots that have become her trademark.

Clijsters needed only 53 minutes to complete an impressive workout on the Louis Armstrong court, sealing victory with a thunderous first serve.

Serena Williams overwhelmed Taiwanese teenager Yung-Jan Chan 6-1 6-3 in the US Open first round.

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