WATCH | US Open: Rafael Nadal comes from a set down to dispatch Taro Daniel in Round 2

World number one Rafael Nadal came from behind to dispatch underdog Taro Daniel of Japan 4-6 6-3 6-2 6-2 in front of a sold-out crowd at the U.S. Open on Thursday.

Despite playing a marathon five-setter the day before, 121st ranked Daniel looked the fresher of the pair at the outset of the match, breaking Nadal to take a 5-4 advantage when the Spaniard dumped a forehand into the net. He eventually won the set and appeared poised to deliver a massive upset.

But Nadal soon found the accuracy that had eluded him in the first set and his booming serve proved too much for the exhausted 24-year-old, who is now 0-6 against top 20 opponents in his career.

"All the matches are difficult, especially here where everyone wants to play their best," Nadal said in an on-court interview at the Arthur Ashe Stadium after the win. "It's true that I didn't play very well tonight but it's also true that I'm through to the next round."

Nadal is now one step closer to a potential semi-finals match against third seed Roger Federer, who won his second consecutive five-set match earlier on Thursday. "I am here to improve every day. I believe I can do it much better and I really feel I am going to do it much better," Nadal said.

Next up for the 31-year-old is a third round match against aggressive Argentinian Leonardo Mayer.

Here are highlights from the match:

.@RafaelNadal put in the hard yards during the  to get ready for his R2 against Taro Daniel at .https://t.co/UYjgcZThae #USOpen pic.twitter.com/rhpJi9By3P

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 1, 2017

"My motivation is just one day, one match, one moment at a time."@RafaelNadal and Daniel on serve in the 1st set...#USOpen pic.twitter.com/iydVfsg6Lh

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 1, 2017

Night after night on Arthur Ashe we have seen some wild matches - 121st ranked @tarodaniel93 takes set 1 off Nadal! #USOpen @Chase pic.twitter.com/TnNBodqqn5

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 1, 2017

.@tarodaniel93 showing some delicate touch tonight.

Another wild match on Arthur Ashe tonight...#USOpen pic.twitter.com/KJXO6vnIhy

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 1, 2017

.@RafaelNadal reels off 4 straight games to take the 2nd set 6-3!

One set all. Can he keep the momentum?https://t.co/h2g3h3Bphn #USOpen pic.twitter.com/iyuHAdC4aS

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 1, 2017

Rafa gets the early break in the 3rd set!

He leads Daniel 4-6, 6-3, 2-1.#USOpen pic.twitter.com/NIqSNoEULk

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 1, 2017

.@RafaelNadal reels off 10 of the last 13 games to lead Daniel 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 0-1.https://t.co/V4ZkGVHFdP #USOpen pic.twitter.com/U48GOXSbTS

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 1, 2017

The Rafa Rocket!@RafaelNadal survives an early scare and blasts into R3 after defeating Daniel 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2!

#USOpen pic.twitter.com/OwISZWcart

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 1, 2017

There was an initial scare on Arthur Ashe Stadium tonight but @RafaelNadal overcame a spirited Taro Daniel and is into R3! #USOpen @MBUSA pic.twitter.com/z3v9VdMVhY

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 1, 2017

(Inputs from Reuters)