The Nadal steam train looking tough to stop

If there is a sense of déjà vu at this year’s US Open, blame it on Rafael Nadal.

Just like last year, when he stormed to the title for the third time, the 11-time Roland Garros champion has opened his title bid in dominant style, bulldozing his way into the third round.

With the minimum of fuss

In his practice sessions, held in front of packed crowds, the world No 1 thunders every ball as hard as he can, the poor juniors he picks for hitting partners gasping for a drink within moments.

On the match court, his intensity is unmatched and ominously for his opponents, he improved on his first-round match with a superb display in round two, when he dispatched Canada’s Vasek Pospisil with the minimum of fuss.

Last year, he dropped just two sets on his way to the title, winning his last four matches in straight sets. Having beaten David Ferrer, who retired in the second set, and Pospisil, he now plays No 27 seed Karen Khachanov of Russia.

What makes Nadal’s form so impressive is that until last year, he had struggled in recent times at this stage of the season, his chronic knees often giving out and prompting a break from the Tour.

Murray singles out Rafa as the favourite

But having closed the gap between himself and Roger Federer at the top of the all-time grand slam winners list, 17 to 20, the extra incentive of reducing the deficit to two is perhaps one of the things spurring him on again.

Maybe it is the court surface, at least if you believe Roger Federer, who says they are “slower than they have been in years”. It’s always going to be faster than at Roland-Garros, but if that’s what makes him feel comfortable, he’ll take it.

Speaking earlier in the tournament, Andy Murray singled out Nadal as the favourite. “I think probably Rafa, because of the draw,” Murray said. “Novak’s playing great but he’s probably in a tougher section whereas Rafa’s section is, not easy, but Novak’s probably got a tougher one.”

Perhaps described the effect Nadal has on his opponents.

“I played Rafa once before (but) it was nothing like this,” he said. “He wasn't playing at as high a level (then) that he's used to playing. Felt like a very different player today than when I played him last time.

“He makes you go for it and play to the highest of your level. He just makes you really push your level and play better than you're used to playing. If you want to have a chance to win, you almost have to play like that. The quality of his strokes is really impressive. He hits the ball with a lot of power and spin. He covers the court extremely well. You have to go for it and play riskier than (against) other players.”

They'll go full Throttle

Nadal, of course, is too modest to talk up his own chances of adding to his 17 grand slam titles, focusing instead on his next opponent, the 22-year-old Khachanov, who reached the semi-finals recently in Toronto and made the last 16 in both Paris and at Wimbledon.

“He’s a great opponent,” Nadal said. “He’s a great player. Young, strong, I played against him in Toronto three weeks ago. It was a tough one," Nadal said.

“I’m excited to play that match and I hope it will be a good one. I need to play well to try to be through and that’s what I’m looking for."

On current evidence, Nadal is likely to take some stopping and the one thing you can guarantee is that they will go at full throttle, from the first point to the last.