Rafael Nadal misses the first break point, but a changed tack delivers a different outcome on the second.

Instead of hanging out on the baseline, the Spaniard comes scampering into the net, sets Anderson the challenge of passing him and finds his man wanting.

A smash slapped into the ground and off towards the mid-price seats seals the break.

Image source, Getty Images

Rafael Nadal is sniffing around the Kevin Anderson serve like a rabid capybara.

Anderson streaks a forehand into the net and the Spanish world number one has 40-15 and two break points.

Pat Cash
Former Wimbledon champion on BBC Radio 5 live

If Anderson can hang in there with his serve and see what happens…

He’s been serving very well in this set and kept the unforced errors down. If he can keep that ball away from Rafa’s racquet on his serve, next thing you know it's a tie-break, the pressure increases, and it could be one set all.

Image source, Rex Features

Rafael Nadal knocks off another service game to love.

He has his serve locked up like Fort Knox at the moment. Kevin Anderson just can't get a nibble on it.

Jeff Tarango
Former professional tennis player on 5 live sports extra at Flushing Meadows

It’s 2-2 and they’ve both played 10 points on their service games. They had already played 30 on Anderson's serve at this stage in the last set.

Rafael Nadal gives Kevin Anderson a 30-0 head-start and, with that in his back pocket, the South African just slugs for glory from the tee-off.

Too much power even for the great fetcher opposite.

Anderson holds to 15. These service games have been easy like a Sunday morning compared to the Sunday evening torture that they were in the first set.

Image source, Reuters

Pat Cash
Former Wimbledon champion on BBC Radio 5 live

All these unforced errors have cost Anderson but you have to force it when attempting to beat Rafa.

He just needs to settle down and get into a few rallies but that will be difficult because Rafa will play him all around the court.

Kevin Anderson cranks his trebuchet limbs into life, whip-cracking a forehand away for a winner after a previous raking stroke had sent Rafa running off court and out of position.

That is 30-30.

Could he?

No, Rafael Nadal closes the door, politely but firmly.

There are not going to be many chances for Anderson. That was a whisper of one.

Image source, EPA

That was a comfortable service hold from Kevin Anderson and there have been few (none?) of those so far.

Rafael Nadal flaps a forehand return into the net from his spot way back behind the baseline.

I'm sure there will be more chances.

Jeff Tarango
Former professional tennis player on 5 live at Flushing Meadows

I think Anderson is just pinching the lines a little too much and he's had too many errors. He should be winning more points at the net.

Image source, Reuters

Another love hold from Rafael Nadal to open the second set.

He has lost just four points on serve so far in the whole match.

It feels like a question of just when he is going to find the weak link in Kevin Anderson's string of monster service games rather than who is going to actually take the title.

But momentum is a fickle beast...

Let's see how this unfolds.

Image source, EPA

It takes more than that to impress Tony Bennett after the life he has led.

The veteran crooner is unmoved (bottom right) while Oscar-winning actress Hilary Swank (bottom left) and comedian Jerry Seinfeld (top right) get all giddy in the first set.

James Stevenson: Nadal's on his way. He won't be stopped now.

Morgwn C Davies: How many more games will Kevin Anderson win?

Kevin Anderson is forced deep, Rafael Nadal comes forward and the Spaniard's deft drop-volley - wrists as pliable as putty - exploits the space in between.

That is the first set signed, sealed and delivered in 58 minutes.

Image source, Getty Images

Rafael Nadal plucks a delightful backhand pass out of the very top drawer, leaving Kevin Anderson trailing his racquet on the ground and taking the game to deuce.

Pat Cash
Former Wimbledon champion on BBC Radio 5 live

It’s amazing how little Rafa volleys in practice, it’s because he doesn’t have to put away many tricky volleys in matches.

Nick: If Nadal goes any further back to receive, he's gonna need a ticket. Anderson should try drop shotting on serve.

John Poole: Big Kev is in for a long night the way his first three service games have gone, Nadal is reborn.

Image source, Reuters

Rafael Nadal looks like he has decided he can win this set - perhaps the whole match - without needing to add to his highlight reel.

The Spaniard is plugging a steady stream of forehands at Anderson and waiting for the mistake to pop up and gift him the point.

His calculations - that he is more consistent and that Anderson doesn't have three full sets of lights-out winners in him - is probably right.

Even if it doesn't make for the most entertaining encounter.

Image source, Rex Features

Pat Cash
Former Wimbledon champion on BBC Radio 5 live

Just had a glance at the unforced errors count, 21, tells the story. Anderson has just been missing those forehands.

Rafa has had just four.

Finally..like an oasis in the desert, like an ice cream on a hot day or a feather bed at the end of a long one, we have a break.

After 45 minutes the Anderson serve finally cracks as the South African double-faults and the drifts a forehand between the tramlines.

Image source, Getty Images