In the shadow of Novak Djokovic's exit from Australia, the 35-year-old Nadal went in and made the process short with the wildly fighting American who had no chance.
The Spaniard controlled the game from the baseline with rock-hard bases and tormented Giron from the first ball.
Nadal, who before his trip to Australia suffered from covid-19 and before that was pulled with a foot injury, was pleased with the victory:
- It has been a couple of tough months.
I stayed in bed for four days, but now it feels wonderful to be here, said a happy Nadal after the match.
Sixth-seeded Nadal has prepared himself by going to Australia earlier and played the pre-season ATP tournament Melbourne Summerset last week and won the tournament, his 79th ATP title.