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Defending US Open champion Rafael Nadal sealed his place in the fourth round after beating Argentine David Nalbandian in straight sets. World number two Nadal beat Nalbandian 7-6 (7-5) 6-1 7-5 but was given a stern test in a fine 62-minute first set. After breaking Nadal, Nalbandian served for the set at 5-4 but the Spaniard produced his best tennis to eventually take it into a tie-break, which he won. Elsewhere, Gilles Simon knocked out 2009 champion Juan Martin Del Potro. Simon, the French 12th seed, fought back from a set behind to seal a 4-6 7-6 (7-5) 6-2 7-6 (7-3) triumph over the Argentine in a shade under four hours in the Louis Armstrong Stadium. It was a high-quality contest that riveted the crowd much in the manner that Nadal's meeting with the dangerous Argentine Nalbandian had earlier in the day.Having broken Nadal in his third service game Nalbandian looked to have control of the first set, despite his opponent playing some scintillating tennis. Nalbandian was matching the Spaniard but having played his best tennis of the tournament the Argentine lost his nerve at the crucial time. Serving for the set, Nalbandian double-faulted at break point, handing Nadal the lifeline his tennis deserved. Both held serve to take the set into a tie-break and it was Nadal who came out on top, thanks in part to another Nalbandian double fault at 3-3, to take the early advantage in New York. Nadal turned on the style and the power in the second set, breaking his opponent three times to take a two-set lead. The Spaniard was broken in the opening game of the third but broke straight back and a further break put him back in control of the set. Nadal served for the match, only to lose his serve for the first time since the opening set to hand Nalbandian a lifeline. Nadal then survived another break point to hold serve, leaving Nalbandian needing to hold serve to take the set into a tie-break. However, having survived two match points, he double faulted on the third to hand Nadal the match. "It was a tough day. David is a fantastic player and a close friend who has had a tough time with injuries," said Nadal. "The first set was key when I came back when he was serving for the set. I am happy because I played my best match of the tournament so far." Nadal, who collapsed with cramp in his post-match press conference before making a full recovery, will now take on Gilles Muller of Luxembourg, who beat Russia's Igor Kunitsyn 6-1 6-4 6-4. Fifth seed Spaniard David Ferrer needed less than two hours to beat Florian Mayer of Germany 6-1 6-2 7-6 (7-2). He will play 2003 champion Andy Roddick, who overcame French wildcard Julien Benneteau 6-1 6-4 7-6 (7-5). US competitor Roddick struck 21 aces and won 81% of points on his first serve, breaking his opponent three times. And there was more good news for the host nation as unseeded American Donald Young beat Juan Ignacio Chela of Argentina 7-5 6-4 6-3.