Second seed Dominic Thiem outlined his title credentials with a convincing 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 win over India's Sumit Nagal.

With Grand Slam winners Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal absent from the US Open due to injury and Coronavirus concerns respectively, Thiem began this encounter as one of the favourites to win in New York. 

Having made the final of this year's Australian Open, the Austrian is still considered strong on this surface, although two French Open finals show his expertise lies mostly on the clay. 

Nagal in action (Image: Al Bello)
Nagal in action (Image: Al Bello)

Nagal's first-round victory against American Bradley Klahn in four-sets made him the first male Indian player to get past the first round for seven years. 

Two clinical breaks of serve were enough for Thiem to clinch the opening set. 

23-year-old Nagal improved slightly in the second, but Thiem's power game consistently proved too much for his 124th ranked opponent.

The three-time Grand Slam finalist, however, was not to be denied as he wrapped up a straight-forward victory to celebrate his 27th birthday in style. 

Next up for the Austrian is 2014 champion Marin Cilic, who triumphed in four-sets downing Slovakia's Norbert Gombos 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (7-2), 7-5. 

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