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U.S. Open: Rafa, Djokovic breeze through first round

Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts after winning the first set of his first round match against Borna Coric of Croatia at the U.S. Open Tennis tournament in New York, Monday, Aug. 31, 2015. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
Rafael Nadal of Spain reacts after winning the first set of his first round match against Borna Coric of Croatia at the U.S. Open Tennis tournament in New York, Monday, Aug. 31, 2015. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

NEW YORK – On a humid, still day in New York, No. 1 Novak Djokovic had no intentions of spending an extra minute on the court. He's here on a misson, and he completed the first step in rapid fashion, 6-1, 6-1, 6-1.

"I'm going to do everything in my power to get an opportunity to fight for the trophy. That's all I'm looking for," he said after the match.

Djokovic has every reason to expect to challenge for the title. He's 20-1 in Grand Slam matches this year, with two titles to his name. He barely missed the crown at Roland Garros, where he was runner-up to Stan Wawrinka.

No. 8 Rafael Nadal looked like he'd finish just as quickly as he took the court Monday night. He jumped out to a two-set lead over teenager Borna Coric.

Coric had beaten the 14-time Grand Slam champion in their only previous meeting. He took the third set off Nadal Monday, before the Spaniard rallied back to the 6-3, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 victory.

"I think I started playing well," Nadal said. "The first two sets was a very high level for me, then I got a little bit tired...The conditions here are very humid, I am sweating a lot and in those conditions I suffer a bit. I was able to play aggressive in the fourth. He is an amazing player and has a great future."

Earlier in the day, former U.S. Open quarterfinalist Mardy Fish started what will be his final U.S. Open appearance. It's also his first since 2012. He won his opening match over Marco Cecchinato, 6-7, 6-3, 6-1, 6-3.

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Danielle Elliot is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Find her on Twitter and Facebook.