Rafael Nadal has cut short John Millman’s return to Arthur Ashe Stadium with a crushing US Open first-round win over Australia’s 2018 quarter-finalist.

Opening his quest for a fourth title at Flushing Meadows, second-seeded Nadal dominated Millman 6-3 6-2 6-2 in little more than two hours on Tuesday night.

Nadal will play another Australian in the second round after Millman’s countryman Thanasi Kokkinakis vindicated his wildcard entry with a spirited four-set win over Belarusian qualifier Ilya Ivashka.