Nadal crafted his forehands to perfection in the match. The Spaniard struggled in the first set as he ended up getting broken, but then made quick progress with acutte angled winners and thumping first serves. He broke serve more than once in the following sets and consolidated with ease in order to defeat Russell in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2, 6-2

Russell holds on this time and forces Nadal to serve him out of the match. Its 5-2, third set. 

Nadal serves his way to an easy hold and takes his lead to 5-1 in the third set. Well, the defending champion finishes on the match win. Now, Russell will serve to stay alive in this match. 

Nadal Breaks again! Time is running out quickly for the veteran American  Russell here. The World No. 1 creates a beautiful angle to extract an error from Russell and duly compliments it with an inside-out forehand winner to go 4-1 in the third set. 

Nadal holds on to an easy service game this time and takes his lead to 3-1. The World No. 1 hammers an exquisite forehand winner down the line and extract an error from Russell's backhand to hold on. 

A defiant hold - amidst such circumstances from  Russell. The American fires an Ace and the volleys a winner to run through with the game - rest is done by Nadal's forehand unforced error. Its 2-1, third set. 

A love-service hold for Nadal this time, as he races to a 2-0 lead in the third set. Tremendous shot-making from the World No. 1, here. 

Nadal completely controls the momentum now. Well, the World No. 1 gets the coveted break early on in the third-set - like he did in the second-set. Russell is looking out of sorts now, as he continues to commit errors. Its 1-0, third set. 

Nadal took 40 minutes to win the second-set. The World No. 1 raced to a 4-1 lead in the second-set after getting the double-break before  Russell could salvage some pride by breaking back - in the nick of time. Nadal hit back again and won the second set convincingly. The World No. 1 converted 3 out of 3 break points, hammered 12 winners and earned 71% points on his first serve to win the second-set. 

After a momentarily lapse in concentration, Nadal strikes again this time and regains his lead in the second-set. Russell once again commits three unforced errors and Nadal wastes no time in smacking a cross-court winner to break back immediately. Its 5-2, second-set. Now, Nadal will serve to go two sets up in the match. 

Russell Breaks back! A vailant effort from the American this time, as he strikes back and crowd encourages him with a huge roar. Nadal fails to negotiate an easy forehand and Russell smacks a backhand to put pressure on Nadal and then seal the deal with a drop-shot. Its 2-4, second-set. 

Nadal breaks again and races to a 4-1 lead in the second-set. A disheartening situation for the American, as she stretches twice to tackle Nadal's forehand, but fails to do so. Russell messes up with a volley early on to open up the floodgates for the World No. 1 and once again looks feeble against Nadal's counter attack. 

Nadal reels-off a love-service game this time and takes his lead to 3-1 in the second-set. One big serve and two unforced errors from  Russell. Well, the Spaniard sails home. 

Russell gets on board in the second-set. Some respite for the American this time, as Nadal commits two unforced errors and Russell makes the most of them by firing a big serve to hold on this time. Its 1-2, second set. 

Nadal holds on to an easy service game this time and takes his lead to 2-0 in the second-set. Once again, the American commits three unforced errors and allows Nadal to hold on. 

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Nadal takes the momentum of the first-set into second-set and breaks the American immediately. Nadal makes quick in-roads into the second-set, as he smacks a big forehand and the rest is done by Russell's unforced error. Its 0-1, second-set. 

After 45 minutes of play - the defending champion clinches the first set. Though, Russell broke first, but Nadal quickly changed gears and got into aggressive mode from there on to make it an easy task in the end - to win the first set. Nadal fired 2 aces, earned 79% points on his first serve and conveted 2 out of 4 break points to win the first set. Nadal hammered 11 winners and duly got benefitted from  Russell's 11 unforced errors. 

Nadal breaks! The Spaniard hits just at the nick of time and now he will serve to win the first set. Russell commits two unforced errors quickly and gifts away the break to Nadal. 

Nadal holds on and equalizes the proceedings in the first set at 4-4. Russell fires a brilliant forehand winner, but Nadal gives a fitting reply with a forehand and a big serve to hold on. 

Nadal immediately breaks back! The defending champion gets into aggressive mode immediately and gets back on his serve. Nadal executes a fine drop-shot and then smacks a big forehand. Finally, the World No. 1 hammers a forehand winner down the line to break back. Its 3-4, first set. 

Russell Breaks! What a counter-attack from the American, as he breaks Nadal's concentration this time and gets the conveted break. Russell executes an exquisite drop-shot and duly compliments with a forehand winner down the line. Nadal errs with his serve, as he commits a double fault and gifts away the first break to the American. Its 4-2, first set.

Russell continues to impress with his improved serve and precise selection of shots. The American smacks an ace and extract an error from Nadal to maintain his slender lead with a 3-2, in the first set. 

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Nadal does not waste much time to hold on to his serve this time. A quick forehand smash, an ace and a well-timed backhand to extract an error from  Russell - Nadal earns the equalizer here. Its 2-2, first set. 

Russell stands up against Nadal's severe onslaught to get a slender lead here. The American fires a big serve and then smacks a beautiful cross-court backhand to nudge ahead. Its 2-1, first set. 

A bit of jitterty start for Nadal this time, as he takes some time to hold on to his serve after saving a break point. Nadal brings in his devastating forehand into play - at the right time to avoid an damage, early on. Its 1-1, first set. 

Good start from Russell, as he does not look nervous against the mighty Nadal and holds on to his opening service game of the match - without any difficulty. Its 1-0, first set. 

Players are warming up before the match!

Players arrive on the court and there is a huge roar from the crowd. 

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On the other hand, American Michael Russell who turned pro in 1998 and has all the experience, but he has not done well on tour and still seeking his maiden title. Russell has a 6-10 win-loss record this year.

Nadal who lost four ATP World Tour Tournament finals against Djokovic this year, managed to hold on to his No. 1 Ranking after clinching the Roland Garros title – earlier this month. Indirectly, the job was done for him by Roger Federer, who stopped Djokovic in semi-finals to make it a lot easier for the defending champion. 

We continue our coverage with the next match to be played between World No 1 Rafael Nadal and American Michael Russell.