Nadal beats Cuevas in the Western and Southern Open second round

Rafael Nadal continued his solid form with a straight-sets win over Pablo Cuevas in the Western and Southern Open second round.

The Spaniard, who lost the bronze-medal match at the Olympics on his return from a wrist injury, gained a measure of revenge over Cuevas with a 6-1 7-6 (7-4) victory.

Nadal, the 2013 champion in Cincinnati, said the injury was still causing him problems, but his form has nonetheless been decent.

The third seed was beaten by Uruguayan Cuevas when they last met – on the Rio clay in February – but won through in one hour and 30 minutes.

Nadal only lost four points on his serve in the first set to cruise through it before punishing Cuevas for missed chances in the second.

Cuevas had five break points but was unable to take one before being beaten in the tie-break.

Next up for Nadal at the rain-hit ATP 1000 event will be a young gun – either Nick Kyrgios or Borna Coric.