Three break points. Not just any break points either. Set and break points.

With a cushion to work with Rafael Nadal takes a jaunt to the net on the first. He has not applied enough pressure to Tim Smyczek to make that work though.

The American had all the time he wanted to slide away a winner with Nadal looking he was in a recurring nightmare - horribly exposed bang in the middle of the net and unable to cut off the acres of court behind him.

Back to the old familiar on the next. And that does the trick. A skidding forehand out wide and even Smyczek has not got the wheels to get there.

Image source, AP

Meanwhile, over on the Margaret Court Arena seventh seed Eugenie Bouchard has taken just 23 minutes to take the first set 6-0 against Netherlands' Kiki Bertens.

Latest men's scores and women's scores

Forty-fifteen up and Rafael Nadal runs around a forehand out wide to try and lassoo a forehand winner down the line.

It is a pose we have seen many times before, but the Spaniard's aim is well off, planting between the tramlines. Nadal looks a little miffed - like he has burned rice to the bottom of his favourite pan.

That is better. Nadal works over Tim Smyczek in the next rally and slaps away a bounce smash from midcourt to win the game.

Tim Smyczek keeps his serve locked up tight and tidy.

He has been impressive so far, but needs a little more than that though now to rescue the first set from the clutches of Rafael Nadal.

David Law
BBC Radio 5 live sports extra commentator

"It's great to see Rafael Nadal back on the court. He has put his body through such strain there were fears last year about how much longer he might be able to do that. There are all these young players pushing the great champions of the sport and it's a great time for the sport. Let's hope Nadal can have a really good 2015."

Rafael Nadal compounds his break with a solid hold. Tim Smyczek might be slipping under the cosh here.

I had been rather ambivalent on the 'short shorts questions'. They looked pretty similar to standard kit in the first five games.

There is a 'but' coming here. Nadal has just fetched a towel out of his racquetbag as the players changed ends. And the bloodflow to his nether regions dropped to dangerous levels.

Leon Smith
GB Davis Cup captain on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

"The differences between the two players is obvious. Rafael Nadal is so muscular and powerful while Smyczek is wiry and able to chase down balls and defend, but the power of Nadal is really impressive."

Tim Smyczek finds himself backed into a corner at 0-40, but comes out battling, advancing to see off the threat with a forehand pummel.

Smyczek can go toe-to-toe with Nadal for the baseline. The American is a game chaser and covers off a series of angles on the next point, but eventually Nadal runs the legs off him.

A few too many revs on the ball, a millilitre too much lactic in the American's legs and the break is Nadal's.

Leon Smith
GB Davis Cup captain on BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

"I've seen quite a lot of Smyczek and he works extremely hard and would probably say his movement is his best asset. We should see some long rallies, but Nadal's strength should make the difference in the end."

Image source, EPA

More promising moments from Tim Smyczek as he gets the better of a forehand exchange but Rafael Nadal closes down the game for the loss of just the one point.

There are plenty of bits of kit adorned with Rafael Nadal's bull's head logo among the crowd.

After Andy Murray unveiled his own little symbol and, of course, Roger's ubiquitous little monogram, who is winning the brand war? And what should Novak Djokovic base his coat of arms around?

Give us a shout on #bbctennis or 81111 on text with any ideas.

Image source, AFP

While Rafael Nadal is dressed like a Klaxons crowd member - a clash of fluorescent yellow and pink around straggly hair - Tim Smyczek is all business.

The American is channelling some 80s Edberg vibes is a white shirt with a faint grey graphic.

Not a lot of frills to his game either. He opens with an ace and closes with a crashing off forehand winner as he holds to love.

Impressive.

The Rod Laver Arena is a little light on numbers despite the presence of the sweaty Spanish legend.

That has everything to do with the Aussie men producing their strongest showing for years in the early rounds.

Elsewhere Thanasi Kokkinakis is a set up on fellow Australian Sam Groth and Nick Krygios is level with 23rd seed Ivo Karlovic.

It will be getting rowdy on the outside courts.

Nadal wraps up the opening game as Tim Smyczek pumps long with a forehand after getting a baseline runaround.

Right, Rafael Nadal gives Tim Smyczek a sight of the fresh fuzz and is going to tee us off.

Here we go.

Short lengths and groundstroke depths - whatever takes your fancy today is fair game for discussion on the live text.

#bbctennis , externaland 81111 on text is the way to kick off the discussion.

BBC Radio 5 live sports extra

BBC Radio 5 live sports extra are bringing us live audio commentary of today's match. The discussion on the length of Rafael Nadal's short, mid-thigh for those interested, is over.

But ball-by-ball of this match and Simona Halep's meeting with Jarmila Gajdosova is coming right up.

Image source, Getty Images

Since being knocked out of Wimbledon last year by the big-hitting Nick Krygios, Rafael Nadal has played just nine times.

Among those to have beaten him in that time are Martin Klizan, Borna Coric and Michael Berrer.

He has been short of the top drawer in short.

A qualifier in the form of his life is probably not what he wants to see looming on the other side of the net. That is what he has got though

The Spaniard faces American Tim Smyczek for a place in the third round.