Stat of the Day: Rafael Nadal is now 64-2 in first-round matches at Grand Slams

It took more than three hours, but Rafael Nadal made it through to the second round of the US Open on Tuesday night, battling back from a set down to defeat No. 198-ranked Australian wild card Rinky Hijikata, 4-6, 6-2, 6-3, 6-3.

With the three-hour-and-eight-minute win, the four-time US Open champion improves to an incredble 64-2 in his career in first-round matches at Grand Slams.

NADAL IN FIRST-ROUND MATCHES AT GRAND SLAMS: 64-2

• Won first 34 first-round matches in a row
• Fell in first round of 2013 Wimbledon (to Steve Darcis)
• Won next 8 first-round matches in a row
• Fell in first round of 2016 Australian Open (to Fernando Verdasco)
• Has won last 22 first-round matches in a row

Nadal also improves to 16-0 in his career in first-round matches at the US Open specifically, and he’s now won 19 of his last 20 matches at Flushing Meadows, capturing the title in 2017 (7-0), reaching the semifinals in 2018 before having to retire against Juan Martin del Potro due to a knee injury (5-1), winning the title again in 2019 (6-0) and now winning his first match in 2022 (1-0).