Top-seeded Nadal pounded his way past Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan 6-2, 7-6 (7/5), 7-5 in the featured night session match on Arthur Ashe Stadium court.

Fourth-seeded Murray saw off Jamaica's Dustin Brown 7-5, 6-3, 6-0 on the same court earlier in the day.

Nadal next plays France's Gilles Simon who defeated Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany 4-6, 6-3, 1-6, 6-1, 6-3, while Murray takes on Stanislas Wawrinka of Swizerland who ousted Juan Ignacio Chela of Argentina 7-5, 6-3, 6-4.