Eight time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal has made a shaky yet safe start to his opening round match at the 2010 US Open, the year's last major being played here in Flushing Meadows, New York.

Nadal had several break opportunities in a couple of initial games but Gabashvili's strong baseline game, coupled with a solid volley execution helped him in key moments. As the set went into a tie-break, Nadal took a mini-break, twice to snatch the opening set by 7 points to 4.

The Spaniard is bidding for his maiden US Open triumph which will fetch him a long yearning dream of completing a career grand slam. Nadal already has the other three slams under his belt. Interestingly, Nadal's last non-slam hardcourt title triumph also came about a year and a half ago in Indian Wells in 2009.

Click here to enjoy the point-by-point commentary of this match.