No.1 seed Rafael Nadal moved into the third round of the US Open after defeating a battling Ryler de Heart 6-1 6-2 6-4 at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
The Spaniard raced two sets ahead but American qualifier de Heart rallied to storm into a three-game lead in the third set.
However, Nadal picked up the pace and produced a number of big serves to win five straight games before de Heart made it 5-4 when Nadal missed a simple drop shot.
But de Heart made a couple of errors and Nadal wrapped up the victory with a big forehand down the line to win the set and the match.
Nadal has been on a roll in 2008. He captured his fourth straight French Open title, grabbed the crown at Wimbledon, took the gold at the Beijing Olympics and won five other titles this year.
Few tournaments have given Nadal more trouble than the US Open. The left-hander has never advanced further than the quarter-finals at Flushing Meadows and was eliminated in the fourth round last year - Nadal's worst showing in a grand slam in each of the last three years.
The 22-year-old Spaniard needed to survive an early test in the first round, defeating German Bjorn Phau 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 7-6 (7-4) on Monday.
James Blake advanced to the third round when Belgian Steve Darcis retired in the third set with the American leading 4-6 6-3 1-0.
The ninth seed had a lot more trouble with his first opponent in this hardcourt event. He committed 50 unforced errors and needed five sets to finish off compatriot Donald Young, 6-1 3-6 6-1 4-6 6-4, on Monday.
A quarter-finalist here in 2005 and 2006, Blake was eliminated in the fourth round at the US Open last year. The 28-year-old has yet to make it past the quarters in any major during his career, but has enjoyed the most success in this event.
Up next for Blake is countryman Mardy Fish, who upset 24th-seeded Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu 6-2 3-6 6-3 6-4.
Also on Thursday, fourth-seeded David Ferrer defeated German Andreas Beck 4-6 7-5 6-3 7-6 (7-5).
The world No.4, who reached the semi-finals here a year ago, Ferrer will next face Japan's Kei Nishikori, who won the first two sets (6-1 7-5) against Roko Karanusic before the Croatian retired.
Like Ferrer, No.6 seed Andy Murray also had his hands full on Thursday, as the Scotsman edged French left-hander Michael Llodra 6-4 1-6 7-5 7-6 (9-7).
Murray, who has never advanced beyond the fourth round in Flushing, will meet Jurgen Melzer in the third round. The Austrian move on with a 6-0 6-2 6-2 victory over Czech Jiri Vanek.
Also on Thursday, seventh seed David Nalbandian of Argentina cruised to a 6-2 6-4 6-2 win over Kazakhstan's Andrey Golubev, while 10th seed Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland advanced with a 6-4 7-6 (8-6) 6-2 victory over American Wayne Odesnik.