Daniil Medvedev shuns 'crazy shots' in cruising through first round at US Open

Third seed Daniil Medvedev cruised past Federico Delbonis of Argentina in a comfortable 6-1 6-2 6-4 win on Tuesday to reach the second round of the US Open.

The 24-year-old, who lost to Rafael Nadal in last year's dramatic final, faced just two breakpoints in the entire match -- in his opening service game of the second set.

The Russian broke his opponent's serve on five occasions and never looked in any trouble as he secured his progress at Flushing Meadows.

"The most pleased I was (with) today was the score ... three sets, important first round, especially playing so late... I think it's 11.20 right now, so happy that I finished before midnight," Medvedev said in a courtside interview.

Medvedev barely needed to shift gears as he hit 27 winners while keeping his unforced errors down to 24, finishing the match off under two hours.

The Russian sealed victory when his 79th-ranked opponent sent a return into the net in the final match of the evening on Arthur Ashe Stadium court.

In the first meeting between the two players, Medvedev came under little pressure and went for an array of strokes, including many failed drop shot attempts and a no-look backhand winner from the net.

"Actually it was more easy in the beginning. Later he came back a little bit into the match," Medvedev said. "He started to be a little bit tricky, had some breakpoints but I managed to keep the distance all the time.

"In the third set, I think actually the game I lost for 5-3 in the third, was the only game he won by love. I always kept pressure on his serve and that was the key."

In the second round Medvedev will meet Australian Christopher O'Connell, who earlier defeated Laslo Djere of Serbia 4-6 6-4 7-6(2) 6-4.