Fourth seed David Ferrer has advanced safely to the second round of the US Open with a straight-sets victory over Nick Kyrgios in New York.
Playing in just his third competitive senior singles match, 18-year-old Kyrgios pushed his heavily-fancied opponent all the way in the opener, saving set point with the scores at 5-4.
Ferrer did break at the next opportunity, though, to win the first set 7-5 and he went on to take the second 6-3 courtesy of a single break of the world number 214th's serve.
The Spaniard's experience and superiority became more evident as the match progressed and he wrapped up what was a convincing win against the valiant Australian teenager by winning the third set 6-2.
Roberto Bautista Agut, who defeated Thomaz Bellucci 6-3 6-2 6-2 on Monday, awaits his compatriot in the next round at Flushing Meadows.
Joe Fish
