The No. 5-seeded Nadal is in a tough section of the draw at the hard-court tournament, facing possible matchups against Roger Federer in the fourth round and Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals. All three had first-round draws and were in second-round action Sunday.
No. 2 Djokovic faced Kyle Edmund of Britain later, with Federer scheduled to face Stephane Robert of France at night – a day after No. 1 Andy Murray was stunned by 129th-ranked qualifier Vasek Pospisil.
In other matches, No. 4 Kei Nishikori defeated Dan Evans 6-3, 6-4, No. 12 Grigor Dimitrov eliminated Mikhail Youzhny 6-4, 6-0, and No. 18 Alexander Zverev got past Facundo Bagnis 7-6 (10), 6-3.
In women’s third-round action, 17-year-old American wild-card entry Kayla Day nearly pulled off a major upset but eventually lost to reigning French Open champion Garbine Muguruza 3-6, 7-5, 6-2. Day is ranked 175th, Muguruza is ranked No. 7.
Elsewhere, 11th-seeded Johanna Konta was edged by No. 21 Caroline Garcia 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (1), two-time major champion Svetlana Kuznetsova beat No. 26 Roberta Vinci 6-2, 2-6, 6-1, and No. 15 Timea Bacsinszky defeated No. 18 Kiki Bertens 6-3, 5-7, 7-6 (8).
