Rafael Nadal cruises to first-round win at US Open

NEW YORK -- Playing with his left wrist heavily bandaged, Rafael Nadal won his first Grand Slam match in more than three months Monday, easily beating Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 at the US Open.

Nadal's first-round victory in Arthur Ashe Stadium on Monday was straightforward. He produced 14 of his 21 winners via his forehand, which showed little sign of being troubled by a wrist he says is still not completely healed.

Nadal hadn't played at a major since winning his second-round match at the French Open on May 26. He then withdrew from Roland Garros before the third round and sat out Wimbledon because of the problematic wrist.

In an earlier match, 2014 US Open championMarin Cilicbeat 108th-ranked Rogerio Dutra Silva6-4, 7-5, 6-1 despite posting more unforced errors than winners (24-23).

Cilic, the seventh seed, is coming off his first Masters title, beating Andy Murray in the final at Cincinnati.

Dutra Silva is now 0-3 against top-10 players. He came in 3-3 in his career at the US Open and 0-5 in the other majors.

In another early match, Britain's Kyle Edmund, making his US Open debut,upset 13th-seeded Richard Gasquet6-2, 6-2, 6-3.

The 21-year-old Edmund, ranked 84th, had 40 winners, 21 on his forehand. He has twice made it to the second round at the French Open.

Said Gasquet, the 2013 US Open semifinalist, hadn't lost in the first round at a major since 2010 at Roland Garros: "Not sure I could do worse."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.