Struggling Nadal gets off on the right foot at US Open with 4-set win over Coric

In the midst of the most dispiriting season of his career, Rafael Nadal had modest goals for himself coming into the US Open.

"I will be arrogant if I say I feel ready for the title now after not having a great season," he said before the tournament. "I don't want to say that. I say I am working hard every day. I know I am playing better and I am feeling better mentally than a few months ago."

It showed through in his first-round match against Borna Coric, the last of Day 1 at Flushing Meadows. Under the lights on Arthur Ashe stadium court, Nadal came out blazing, suffered a momentary hiccup, then finished strong, notching a 6-3, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 victory in 2 hours, 47 minutes.

Having won the tournament last time he played it, Nadal is sort of an unofficial defending champ in New York. Even if it may not seem that way given how he's played this year, the atmosphere in Arthur Ashe suited the occasion, and Nadal played up to it.

Though it was a first-round match, beating Coric was no sure thing. The 18-year-old has rocketed up the rankings (at No. 33 in the world, he is the highest-ranked unseeded player in the tournament, as well as the youngest player in the top 80) and had beaten Nadal in their only previous meeting - at the Swiss Indoors in Basel last fall.

Coric even won the US Open (as a junior) the same year Nadal last did.

But Nadal came out hitting with more confidence than he's shown all year, keeping the ball deep, whipping his trademark bending forehand passers on the run, and even overcoming his phobia of the net. He approached cautiously but opportunistically, winning 16 of 17 points coming forward. He hit 40 winners to 31 unforced errors and won 88 percent of his first-serve points.

Coric didn't let himself down, either, and his electric skill set was on full display. He made a spirited push in the third set when Nadal seemed to tighten up, breaking twice behind some huge baseline hitting and aggressive second-serve returns. He won 64 percent of points on his opponent's second offering, which would have been a far bigger problem had Nadal not landed 72 percent of his firsts.

It was a stirring night cap, and for Nadal, an important first step toward getting his mojo back. He still may not feel ready to win the US Open, but if his first showing was any indication, any match he plays will be appointment viewing.