Easy for Radwanska in opener

Easy for Radwanska in opener

 

Second seed Agnieszka Radwanska cruised into the second round of the US Open with a speedy 6-1 6-1 win over Nina Bratchikova of Russia.

The Wimbledon runner-up needed just 54 minutes to wrap up the victory over world number 91 Bratchikova in a match played in humid conditions.

Radwanska, who has never advanced beyond the last 16 at Flushing Meadows, was at her consistent best as she made just six unforced errors.
The Pole will play either Ksenia Pervak of Kazakhstan or Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro in the second round.
Ana Ivanovic had a similarly comfortable start as she quickly disposed of Elina Svitolina of Ukraine 6-3 6-2

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Federer stunning in first round at U.S. Open

Federer stunning in first round at U.S. Open

 

 World number one Roger Federer produced a stunning opening performance at the U.S. Open on Monday, but then said Novak Djokovic deserved to be the favourite for the title.

Five-times champion Federer ran through his full array of shot-making as he dismissed American Donald Young 6-3 6-2 6-4 to reach the second round.

Having won his 17th grand slam title with his victory at Wimbledon last month, Federer is many people's pick to add a sixth U.S. Open crown to his ever-growing resume.

But the Swiss said the efforts of Serbia's Djokovic in recent times gave him the edge.

"I still think Novak is the favourite for the title coming in here," Federer told reporters after his one hour, 34-minute victory under the lights.

"He's the defending champion, he's probably won more hard court titles than anyone in the last few years and he also beat me here in the last two years."

Federer was untroubled by windy and humid conditions at Flushing Meadows as he made world number 81 Young look distinctly second-rate.

The American was once tipped for greatness as a teenager but his win in the first round in Winston-Salem last week snapped a 16-match losing streak that saw him plummet down the rankings.

The left-hander has plenty of talent but Federer just absorbed everything he could throw at him and gave it all back, and more.

The Swiss looked in a hurry to get off the court and reeled off his full array of strokes to set up a second-round encounter with Bjorn Phau of Germany.

"I think it was a good start in difficult conditions," Federer said.

"He was a talented opponent and I'd never played him before but it was good."

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US Open: Day two order of play

US Open: Day two order of play

 

The full order of play for day two of the 2012 US Open at Flushing Meadows, New York. 

All times are BST, seedings in brackets

Arthur Ashe Stadium (1600)
Nina Bratchikova (RUS) vs Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) [2]
Not before 1800
Andy Roddick (USA) [20] vs Rhyne Williams (USA)
Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA) vs. Venus Williams (USA)
Not before 0000
Paolo Lorenzi (ITA) vs. Novak Djokovic (SRB) [2]
Coco Vandeweghe (USA) vs. Serena Williams (USA) [4]
Louis Armstrong Stadium (1600)
David Goffin (BEL) vs. Tomas Berdych (CZE) [6]
Sam Querrey (USA) [27] vs. Yen-Hsun Lu (TPE)
Francesca Schiavone (ITA) [22] vs. Sloane Stephens (USA)
Not before 2300
Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) [8] vs. Irina-Camelia Begu (ROU)
Grandstand (1600)
Elina Svitolina (UKR) vs. Ana Ivanovic (SRB) [12]
Karol Beck (SVK) vs. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA) [5]
Guillermo Garcia-Lopez (ESP) vs. Juan Monaco (ARG) [10]
Not before 2030
Christina McHale (USA) [21] vs. Kiki Bertens (NED)
Court 17 (1600)
Nicolas Almagro (ESP) [11] vs. Radek Stepanek (CZE)
Angelique Kerber (GER) [6] vs. Anne Keothavong (GBR)
Olga Puchkova (RUS) vs. Irina Falconi (USA)
Alexandr Dolgopolov (UKR) [14] vs. Jesse Levine (USA)
Court 13 (1600)
Kimiko Date-Krumm (JPN) vs. Sofia Arvidsson (SWE)
Nicolas Mahut (FRA) vs. Philipp Petzschner (GER)
Garbine Muguruza (ESP) vs. Sara Errani (ITA)[10]
Carlos Berlocq (ARG) vs. Bernard Tomic (AUS)
Court 11 (1600)
Santiago Giraldo (COL) vs. Milos Raonic (CAN) [15]
Vania King (USA) vs. Yaroslava Shvedova (KAZ)
Julien Benneteau (FRA) [31] vs. Olivier Rochus (BEL)
Maria Kirilenko (RUS) [14] vs. Chanelle Scheepers (RSA)
Court 4 (1600)
Thomaz Bellucci (BRA) vs. Pablo Andujar (ESP)
Jelena Jankovic (SRB) [30] vs. Kateryna Bondarenko (UKR)
Olga Govortsova (BLR) vs. Tamira Paszek (AUT) [29]
Court 6 (1600)
Andrea Hlavackova (CZE) vs. Klara Zakopalova (CZE) [24]
Ayumi Morita (JPN) vs. Monica Niculescu (ROU) [26]
Round Vera Dushevina (RUS) vs. Nastassja Burnett (ITA)
Silvia Soler-Espinosa (ESP) vs. Alla Kudryavtseva (RUS)
Court 7 (1600)
Ivo Karlovic (CRO) vs. Jimmy Wang (TPE)
Dominika Cibulkova (SVK) [13] vs. Johanna Larsson (SWE)
Marcos Baghdatis (CYP) vs. Matthias Bachinger (GER)
Mirjana Lucic (CRO) vs. Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez (ESP)
Court 8 (1600)
Shuai Peng (CHN) [32] vs. Elena Vesnina (RUS)
Lara Arruabarrena-Vecino (ESP) vs. Shahar Peer (ISR)
Sergiy Stakhovsky (UKR) vs. Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI) [18]
Agnes Szavay (HUN) vs. Greta Arn (HUN)
Court 10 (1600)
Urszula Radwanska (POL) vs. Roberta Vinci (ITA) [20]
Dennis Novikov (USA) vs. Jerzy Janowicz (POL)
Court 12 (1600)
Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) vs. Eleni Daniilidou (GRE)
Steve Darcis (BEL) vs. Malek Jaziri (TUN)
Tsvetana Pironkova (BUL) vs. Camila Giorgi (ITA)
Court 14 (1600)
Ksenia Pervak (KAZ) vs. Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP)
Bojana Jovanovski (SRB) vs. Mona Barthel (GER)
Edouard Roger-Vasselin (FRA) vs. Fabio Fognini (ITA)
Akgul Amanmuradova (UZB) vs Tatjana Malek (GER)
Court 15 (1600)
Galina Voskoboeva (KAZ) vs. Arantxa Rus (NED)
Johanna Konta (GBR) vs. Timea Babos (HUN)
Rogerio Dutra Silva (BRA) vs. Teymuraz Gabashvili (RUS)
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There are drug cheats in tennis, says Blake

There are drug cheats in tennis, says Blake

 

Tennis, like other sports, was bound to have some players using performance-enhancing drugs, American James Blake has said, but he felt authorities were doing all they could to ensure the sport was as clean as possible.

"I'm sure there are guys who are doing it, getting away with it, and getting ahead of the testers," Blake said after defeating Lukas Lacko of Slovakia 7-6 6-2 3-6 6-3 in his first-round match at the US Open.

"It's unfortunate, but I hope tennis is doing the best job of trying to catch those guys trying to beat the system."
The 115th-ranked Blake, who was once ranked as high as fourth in the world, said he was "realistic with this much money involved, $1.9 million for the winner of the US Open, people will try to find a way to get ahead."
The 32-year-old Blake, however also added he felt tennis authorities "do a great job of testing".
"Of course at times it's inconvenient to me when I get woken up at 6 a.m. to pee in a cup. It's their job. I know they're doing it," he said.
"I know if they're doing it to me, they're doing it to everyone else. I'm happy to do that."
Blake said he "didn't know what to think" about cancer survivor Lance Armstrong, who was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles last week after he gave up fighting allegations he used performance-enhancing drugs.
"Cycling has seen what seems to be like the steroid era in baseball where it seems like everyone is clouded (with suspicion)," said Blake.
"You don't know (but) like he said, he's passed like 500, 600 tests.
"But have no idea. I don't know Lance at all. Never met him. I don't know what he's like.
"I know his story is inspirational. I know how many people he's helped. That's incredible."

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Murray, Stosur, Sharapova cruise at U.S. Open

Murray, Stosur, Sharapova cruise at U.S. Open

  

 Andy Murray's serve was anything but golden on the opening day of the U.S. Open but the Olympic champion still had too much firepower for Alex Bogomolov Jr. and led a parade of favourites into the second round on Monday.

The top guns had little trouble making it through their first-round encounters, with world number one Roger Federer, three-times champion Kim Clijsters, and top-seeded Victoria Azarenka hardly breaking sweat.

Murray was at his best when it mattered most, recording a service break in a healthy nine of 19 chances against the 29-year-old Russian to win 6-2 6-4 6-1 in two hours, 15 minutes.

However, the Scotsman, who beat Roger Federer to win the gold medal at the London Games in what he called his best career victory, successfully landed only 49 percent of his first serves in humid, windy conditions against Bogomolov.

"I played fairly well from the back of the court. I just would have liked to have served a bit better because I wasn't getting many free points on my serve," said Murray, looking for his first grand slam title.

"Because of that, there were a lot more rallies. When he's in a rhythm, he's tough to break down."

Federer, seeking his sixth title at Flushing Meadows, dismantled American Donald Young 6-3 6-2 6-4 while Clijsters overwhelmed American teenager Victoria Duval 6-3 6-1.

Not to be outdone, Azarenka, seeking her second major title after winning this year's Australian Open, blew past Russian Alexandra Panova 6-0 6-1 in just 50 minutes.

Defending champion Samantha Stosur needed only 51 minutes to blitz Croatia's Petra Martic 6-1 6-1, while 2006 U.S. Open winner Maria Sharapova blew by Hungary's Melinda Czink 6-2 6-2.

Federer landed 70 percent of his first serves and had seven aces to defeat Young, a former junior champion who snapped a 16-match losing streak in an ATP event in Winston-Salem last week.

"It was good considering I played a very talented player who I didn't know much about and never played against," said Federer. "First round of the U.S. Open can always bring a lot of pressure with it.

"It was very windy out there and extremely humid. I'm just happy I was able to weather the conditions and a dangerous opponent. Overall I'm extremely happy."

Clijsters, who will retire after the tournament, said she was not scared that her match against Duval under the lights at Arthur Ashe Stadium could be her last.

"I didn't really think about that," said the 29-year-old Belgian. "I was just excited to be out there and to have the opportunity to play in this kind of condition, prime time.

"A night match, it's always a very special occasion. The energy, when you step out on court also after the opening show, the stadium was almost full.

"So it was a lot of fun to go out there. But still a bit nervous, too."

Stosur said it was "fantastic" to take the court in defence of her title.

"It was great to get out there again," said the Australian seventh seed. "I felt like I was ready to go. First match up, first day, was a good start, so I certainly won't complain about being out there."

Stosur lost in the first round of the Australian Open and the Olympics and was beaten in round two at Wimbledon but her rout of Martic suggested she will not relinquish her U.S. Open crown without a fight.

GOLDEN SET

She won the first 19 points of the match before giving Martic a gift and ending the prospect of a 'golden set'.

"I hadn't missed a point and the match had been going pretty quick and obviously in my favour," said Stosur, who blasted 10 aces in the victory. "(The idea of a golden set) did pop into my head for a split second but then I hit the double fault and it was erased and I was quickly on with the next point."

Shortly after the 28-year-old Stosur left the court, fans scrambled for cover as heavy rain pelted the National Tennis Centre grounds at Flushing Meadows.

The rain caused a two and a half hour delay and threatened to wreak havoc on the schedule but the sun reappeared to create steamy conditions and play resumed.

Third seed Sharapova enjoyed a 24-8 advantage in winners and lost her serve to Czink only once in swirling wind to set up a second-round match against Lourdes Dominguez Lino of Spain.

"I haven't been far here, past the first week, in a long time," said Sharapova, playing her first match since winning a silver medal at the Olympics. "I would love to get that back. I haven't played at a level that I wanted to play here.

"There shouldn't be any reason why I can't, having the success that I had for a few years, winning it in '06. That's certainly something that I'm looking to get back."

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Imperious Federer eases into second round

Imperious Federer eases into second round

World number one Roger Federer produced a stunning opening performance at the US Open, but then said Novak Djokovic deserved to be the favourite for the title.

Five-times champion Federer ran through his full array of shot-making as he dismissed American Donald Young 6-3 6-2 6-4 to reach the second round.

Having won his 17th Grand Slam title with his victory at Wimbledon last month, Federer is many people's pick to add a sixth US Open crown to his ever-growing resume.
But the Swiss said the efforts of Serbia's Djokovic in recent times gave him the edge.
"I still think Novak is the favourite for the title coming in here," Federer said after his one hour, 34-minute victory under the lights.
"He's the defending champion, he's probably won more hard court titles than anyone in the last few years and he also beat me here in the last two years."
Federer was untroubled by windy and humid conditions at Flushing Meadows as he made world number 81 Young look distinctly second-rate.
The American was once tipped for greatness as a teenager but his win in the first round in Winston-Salem last week snapped a 16-match losing streak that saw him plummet down the rankings.
The left-hander has plenty of talent but Federer just absorbed everything he could throw at him and gave it all back, and more.
The Swiss looked in a hurry to get off the court and reeled off his full array of strokes to set up a second-round encounter with Bjorn Phau of Germany.
"I think it was a good start in difficult conditions," Federer said.
"He was a talented opponent and I'd never played him before but it was good."
In other action, 17th seed Kei Nishikori encountered few problems on his way to a 6-1 6-2 6-4 win over Argentina's Guido Andreozzi.

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Nishikori's Japanese compatriot Go Soeda was not as impressive, going down 7-6(3) 7-6(2) 6-3 to American 23rd seed Mardy Fish.
Another American, Jack Sock, managed to progress after his opponent, the 22nd seeded Florian Mayer of Germany, retired hurt when 6-3 6-2 3-2 down.
Spanish trio Fernando Verdasco, Marcel Granollers and Feliciano Lopez all won through to the second round.
Verdasco, the 25th seed, beat Portugal's Rui Machado 6-1 6-2 6-4, 24th seed Granollers downed Denis Kudla of the US 6-3 4-6 6-3 7-6(2) and Lopez saw off Dutchman Robin Haase 6-3 7-5 6-2.
In late-finishing matches, 16th seed Gilles Simon recovered from two sets down to beat Michael Russell of the US 7-6(4) 3-6 5-7 6-4 6-1 while12th seed Marin Cilic also battled back from a two-set deficit to see off Australian Marinko Matosevic 5-7 2-6 6-4 6-2 6-4.
Completing the seeds in action on the opening day was Jeremy Chardy, the 32nd seed from France, who beat Italian Filippo Volandri in straight sets 6-3 6-4 6-3.

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Open-Djokovic, Serena look to get New York crowd on their side

Open-Djokovic, Serena look to get New York crowd on their side

 

 Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams, two players who have tasted the wrath of the New York crowd, begin their title campaigns with first-round matches at the U.S. Open on Tuesday.

Once considered a joker given his talent for imitating fellow players, Djokovic was jeered at Flushing Meadows in 2008 for daring to hit back at claims by Andy Roddick that he exaggerated his injuries.

But last year, the Serb was cheered to the hilt as he beat Rafa Nadal to win the U.S. Open for the first time and complete his collection of grand slam trophies.

"I feel the energy," said Djokovic, who plays Italian Paolo Lorenzi in round one. "It's incredible and a very unique feeling to come back to New York as defending champion. It's one of the most exciting cities in the world.

"You definitely can feel that. Especially the night matches in front of the packed stadium. It's a lot of entertainment, a lot of fun. The fans get into every point, they play with you, so it's quite different from all the other tournaments."

In other men's matches on Tuesday, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France plays Slovakia's Karol Beck and former champion Andy Roddick takes on fellow American Rhyne Williams.

Serena Williams has been on the wrong side of the crowd in each of the past two years with two of the biggest meltdowns in recent U.S. Open history.

In 2010, the American threatened to shove a ball down the throat of a lineswoman who called a foot fault on her when she was two points from defeat against Kim Clijsters.

Last year, the American unleashed a torrent of abuse toward the chair umpire who penalised her for shouting before Samantha Stosur had a chance to return a ball in the final, which the Australian won.

The 30-year-old won the last of her three U.S. Open titles in 2008 is the overwhelming favourite this year after following her triumphs at Wimbledon and the London Olympics.

"You've got to embrace it whether you're the favourite or the one to beat or whether you are not," said fourth seed Williams, who plays American Coco Vandeweghe in round one.

"And I embrace it. In Wimbledon I wasn't the favourite, I embraced that. Hopefully I can do my best here."

Venus Williams, twice the winner in New York, is in action against American Bethanie Mattek-Sands while second seed Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland plays Russia's Nina Bratchikova.
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Stosur begins defence with win; Sharapova, Azarenka ominous

Stosur begins defence with win; Sharapova, Azarenka ominous

Defending champion Sam Stosur raced through her first match of the US Open, downing Petra Martic 6-1 6-1 in New York.

The Australian, seeded seven this year at Flushing Meadows, was far too strong for her Croatian opponent, winning the first 19 points of the match in a row, then going on to hit 10 aces and landing 69 per cent of her first serves.

"I think probably today I carried on from exactly how I was feeling last year," said Stosur, who upset Serena Williams in last year's final.

"Hopefully that's a good omen. As far as first rounds go, I was very happy with today. Last year I did feel that comfort out there and nothing bothered me; today was along the same lines."

Stosur lost in the first round of the Australian Open and the Olympics and was beaten in round two at Wimbledon.

But the 28-year-old showed no signs of nerves and now plays Edina Gallovits-Hall of Romania after she beat Stefanie Voegele of Switzerland 7-5 6-4.

The match was over in just 51 minutes on Arthur Ashe Stadium - which was quick enough to beat the deluge that then descended over New York.

Just a few minutes after the match, play was suspended on all courts with a lengthy rain delay expected.

Another former champion Maria Sharapova cruised into the second round with a 6-2 6-2 victory over Hungary's Melinda Czink.

The Russian, who won the title in 2006 and is seeded third this year, coped well with a swirling wind to see off the world number 88 in 67 minutes.

Sharapova broke Czink's serve twice to win the first set and reeled off the last three games to set up a clash with Spain's Lourdes Dominguez Lino, who beat Sesil Karatantcheva (Kazakhstan) 6-4 6-1.

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The 25-year-old is chasing her second Grand Slam title of the year, having won the French Open in June to complete a career set of all four Grand Slam events.

World number one Victoria Azarenka wasted little time in outlining her title credentials as she scorched to a 6-0 6-1 first round victory over Russia's Alexandra Panova.

The Belarusian, who won her first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in January, was at her very best as she raced through in just 50 minutes.

Azarenka has yet to go beyond the last 16 at the US Open but she outclassed world number 76 Panova with a performance full of power and precision.

The 23-year-old dropped just five points in the first set and maintained her momentum in the second to cruise into round two.

Kim Clijsters overwhelmed American teenager Victoria Duval 6-3 6-1 in a powerful start to the final tournament of her career.

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The three-times champion at Flushing Meadows wobbled a bit in the opening set against the 16-year-old wildcard but prevailed in 51 minutes.

Duval was the youngest player in the women's draw and won three straight games at one point in the first set against the former world number one.

Clijsters, 29, will retire after the US Open to concentrate on family life.

In other matches completed on the first day of action at Flushing Meadows, Petra Kvitova, seeded fifth, saw off Slovenia's Polona Hercog 7-6(6) 6-1, while number nine seed Li Na defeated Britain's Heather Watson with a comfortable 6-2 6-3 win.

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France's 11th seed Marion Bartoli was made to work by American Jamie Hampton, before winning through 6-3 7-6(5) and there were no problems for Lucie Safarova, seeded 15, who beat another US player Melanie Oudin 6-4 6-0.

Russian duo Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Nadia Petrova, seeded 17 and 19 respectively, booked their places in the second round with wins over Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia and Australian Jarmila Gajdosova, while Belgium's 25th seed Yanina Wickmayer beat Israel's Julia Glushko to ensure her progress.

Two Czech players produced upsets as Kristyna Pliskova knocked out 18th seed Julia Goerges and Lucie Hradecka downed 27th seed Anabel Medina Garrigues.

And it was a day to forget for 16th seed Sabine Lisicki, who fell 4-6 6-2 6-2 to Sorana Cirstea of Romania.
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Open-Near flawless Azarenka stresses title credentials

Open-Near flawless Azarenka stresses title credentials

 

World number one Victoria Azarenka wasted little time in outlining her U.S. Open title credentials on Monday as she scorched to a 6-0 6-1 first round victory over Russia's Alexandra Panova.

The Belarusian, who won her first grand slam title at the Australian Open in January, was at her very best as she raced through in just 50 minutes.

Azarenka has yet to go beyond the last 16 at the U.S. Open but she outclassed world number 76 Panova with a performance full of power and precision.

The 23-year-old dropped just five points in the first set and maintained her momentum in the second to cruise into round two.

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"Not pregnant" Sharapova advances in New York

"Not pregnant" Sharapova advances in New York

 
 Maria Sharapova made a convincing start to her U.S. Open title campaign on Monday and then turned comedian as she revealed her build-up had been affected by a "pregnancy" scare.

The Russian was forced to miss events in Montreal and Cincinnati earlier this month because of a stomach bug she first felt on the eve of the Olympic final, in which she lost to Serena Williams.

"I had some tests done, some blood-work, some ultrasound stuff," Sharapova told reporters after her 6-2 6-2 win over Melinda Czink of Hungary.

"They said I should just probably rest. I just went home and took Cincinnati off as well. I think it was just a sign that I needed a few weeks off.

"It was really weird. They told me I was fine, not pregnant. I'm like, Can I get my money back?"

Sharapova was reluctant to use the bug as an excuse for the Olympic final, where she was hammered 6-0 6-1 by Williams.

"It was worse when I got to Montreal," the third seed said.

"At the end of the day, I think it was some stomach bug. But I thought it was getting better. Then I started eating like the normal Maria and it wasn't better."

The rest seemed to have done her good though as the Russian coped well with a testing wind and humid conditions to see off Czink with the minimum of fuss.

Sharapova broke twice to win the first set and reeled off the last three games to set up a clash with Lourdes Dominguez Lino of Spain in the second round.

"I was just happy to be back playing a competitive match," she said.

"Its been a few weeks. It was a nice break in a way but after so many weeks of practising, you're just eager to get back on the court.

"The tournament almost seems a little bit easier because the practice is a little bit shorter getting ready to play matches. It's so much better than having practice weeks, to be honest.

"But I was happy with the way I came out. I'd never played my opponent before, a lefty, conditions weren't exactly perfect.

"Overall I played steady, but there's room for improvement, that's for sure."

The 25-year-old is chasing her second grand slam title of the year, having won the French Open in June to complete a career set of all four grand slam titles.

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Sharapova tames wind and Czink to advance in New York

Sharapova tames wind and Czink to advance in New York

 

Former champion Maria Sharapova cruised into the second round of the U.S. Open on Monday with a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Hungary's Melinda Czink.

The Russian, who won the title in 2006 and is seeded third this year, coped well with a swirling wind to see off the world number 88 in 67 minutes.

Sharapova broke Czink's serve twice to win the first set and reeled off the last three games to set up a clash with Lourdes Dominguez Lino of Spain in the second round.

The 25-year-old is chasing her second grand slam title of the year, having won the French Open in June to complete a career set of all four grand slam events.

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Open-Murray begins U.S. Open campaign with routine win

Open-Murray begins U.S. Open campaign with routine win

 

Olympic champion Andy Murray began his U.S. Open campaign with a routine 6-2 6-4 6-1 victory over Russian Alex Bogomolov Jr. in the first round at Flushing Meadows on Monday.

The match began with four consecutive breaks of serve before Briton Murray, the third seed attempting to win his first grand slam championship, steadied to win in two hours and 15 minutes.

The Scotsman trailed 4-2 in the second set and had been one point from falling behind by a double break.

But the Russian was unable to capitalise and Murray will now face either Croatian Ivan Dodig or Japanese qualifier Hiroki Moriya in the second round.

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Li ends Watson's challenge at US Open

Li Na proved too strong for British hope Heather Watson in the first round of the US Open, winning through 6-2 6-3 in New York.

The Chinese star came into the tournament on the back of an impressive victory in Cincinnati, and was a class above the 20-year-old, ranked 71 in the world.

The ninth seed shared the first games with her opponent, even having to save a break point, before reeling off five games in a row to win the first set.
Watson, the former US Open junior champion, responded with an early break in the second to lead 3-1, but again the Chinese roared back, helped by a consistent first serve.
The match was all but won when rain intervened with Li 5-3 ahead in the second set, and after a lengthy delay, it was a brief return to court for Watson for her exit to be confirmed.
She lost four of five points on her serve following the two-and-a-half-hour rain delay, punching a backhand into the net on match point.
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Stosur beats Martic and the rain at US Open

Stosur beats Martic and the rain at US Open

Defending champion Sam Stosur raced through her first match of the US Open, downing Petra Martic 6-1 6-1 in New York.

The Australian, seeded seven this year at Flushing Meadows, was far too strong for her Croatian opponent, winning the first 19 points of the match in a row, then going on to hit 10 aces and landing 69 per cent of her first serves.

"I think probably today I carried on from exactly how I was feeling last year," said Stosur, who upset Serena Williams in last year's final.
"Hopefully that's a good omen. As far as first rounds go, I was very happy with today. Last year I did feel that comfort out there and nothing bothered me; today was along the same lines."
Stosur lost in the first round of the Australian Open and the Olympics and was beaten in round two at Wimbledon.
But the 28-year-old showed no signs of nerves and now plays Stefanie Voegele of Switzerland or Edina Gallovits-Hall of Romania.
The match was over in just 51 minutes on Arthur Ashe Stadium - which was quick enough to beat the deluge that then descended over New York.
Just a few minutes after the match, play was suspended on all courts with a lengthy rain delay expected.
In other matches completed, Czech Lucie Hradecka defeated Spain's Anabel Medina Garrigues 6-3 6-3, Casey Dellacqua of Australia beat Lesia Tsurenko of Ukraine, 6-2 6-3, and Anna Tatishvili of Georgia bounced France's Stephanie Foretz Gacon 6-2 6-0.

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Federer and Clijsters hoping for US Open magic

Federer and Clijsters hoping for US Open magic

Roger Federer looks to cap an "incredible" season when he launches his bid for a sixth U.S. Open title against American Donald Young on Monday.

Federer beat Britain's Andy Murray to win the 2012 Wimbledon title, regained his world number one ranking and comes into the final grand slam of the year in ominous form.

"I'm just happy how I'm playing," said Federer. "I already reached my goal for the year becoming world number one and getting Wimbledon again and getting a medal for Switzerland.

"It's been incredible."

Murray, who lost to Federer in the Wimbledon final but beat the Swiss weeks later at the same venue to win gold at the London Olympics, is also in action on Monday against Russian Alex Bogomolov Jr.

Despite his golden summer, Murray said he was not about to slack off.

"I needed to make sure that afterwards I worked hard," he said. "Whether you're confident or not confident, providing you work hard and you do all the right things in training, then you'll get a good result.

"That was the most important thing, to make sure I kept my feet on the ground and keep working hard and try to improve.

"Am I more confident? You never know what's going to happen when you get out there on the court. I prepared well. I trained hard the last five, six days, so I'm ready to go."

Also taking the court on Monday will be last year's women's winner Samantha Stosur, as well as former champions Maria Sharapova, who completed her career grand slam this year at the French Open, and three-times U.S. Open titlist Kim Clijsters.

Clijsters, who faces American Victoria Duval, will retire after the tournament.

"Obviously this place is magical for me," the Belgian said. "I have had so many beautiful memories. I have enjoyed coming here from when I was a junior.

"I love the surface, I love the atmosphere, and I'm excited."

Sharapova, who won at Flushing Meadows in 2006, will face Hungary's Melinda Czink in her opening-round match. The Russian has not played since winning a silver medal at the Olympics.

"I feel really good," she said. "I went into Montreal and was supposed to play but I got a stomach bug and just decided to give it a rest.

"I think it was a sign my body just needed to slow down. It was a lot of travel, a lot of playing. Had a hectic summer.

"I know that if I feel healthy and I have enough practice, I'm okay. I don't feel like I need to play three tournaments in a row in order to be ready for the U.S. Open."

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Open-Federer in action on opening day of U.S. Open

Open-Federer in action on opening day of U.S. Open

 

 Roger Federer looks to cap an "incredible" season when he launches his bid for a sixth U.S. Open title against American Donald Young on Monday.

Federer beat Briton Andy Murray to win the 2012 Wimbledon title, regained his world number one ranking and comes into the final grand slam of the year in ominous form.

"I'm just happy how I'm playing," said Federer. "I already reached my goal for the year becoming world number one and getting Wimbledon again and getting a medal for Switzerland.

"It's been incredible."

Murray, who lost to Federer in the Wimbledon final but beat the Swiss weeks later at the same venue to win gold at the London Olympics, is also in action on Monday against Russian Alex Bogomolov Jr.

Despite his golden summer, Murray said he was not about to slack off.

"I needed to make sure that afterwards I worked hard," he said. "Whether you're confident or not confident, providing you work hard and you do all the right things in training, then you'll get a good result.

"That was the most important thing, to make sure I kept my feet on the ground and keep working hard and try to improve.

"Am I more confident? You never know what's going to happen when you get out there on the court. I prepared well. I trained hard the last five, six days, so I'm ready to go."

Also taking the court on Monday will be last year's women's winner Samantha Stosur, as well as former champions Maria Sharapova, who completed her career grand slam this year at the French Open, and three-times U.S. Open titlist Kim Clijsters.

Clijsters, who faces American Victoria Duval, will retire after the tournament.

"Obviously this place is magical for me," the Belgian said. "I have had so many beautiful memories. I have enjoyed coming here from when I was a junior.

"I love the surface, I love the atmosphere, and I'm excited."

Sharapova, who won at Flushing Meadows in 2006, will face Hungary's Melinda Czink in her opening-round match. The Russian has not played since winning a silver medal at the Olympics.

"I feel really good," she said. "I went into Montreal and was supposed to play but I got a stomach bug and just decided to give it a rest.

"I think it was a sign my body just needed to slow down. It was a lot of travel, a lot of playing. Had a hectic summer.

"I know that if I feel healthy and I have enough practice, I'm okay. I don't feel like I need to play three tournaments in a row in order to be ready for the U.S. Open."

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US Open: Day one order of play

US Open: Day one order of play

 

The full order of play for day one of the 2012 US Open at Flushing Meadows, New York. 

All times are BST, seedings in brackets

Arthur Ashe Stadium (1600)
Petra Martic (Cro) v (7) Samantha Stosur (Aus)
(3) Andy Murray (Gbr) v Alex Bogomolov Jr. (Rus)
(3) Maria Sharapova (Rus) v Melinda Czink (Hun)
Not before 0000:
Victoria Duval (USA) v (23) Kim Clijsters (Bel)
(1) Roger Federer (Swi) v Donald Young (USA)
Louis Armstrong Stadium (1600)
Lukas Lacko (Svk) v James Blake (USA)
Melanie Oudin (USA) v (15) Lucie Safarova (Cze)
(23) Mardy Fish (USA) v Go Soeda (Jpn)
(1) Victoria Azarenka (Blr) v Alexandra Panova (Rus)
Grandstand (1600)
(11) Marion Bartoli (Fra) v Jamie Hampton (USA)
Jack Sock (USA) v (22) Florian Mayer (Ger)
Polona Hercog (Slo) v (5) Petra Kvitova (Cze)
Michael Russell (USA) v (16) Gilles Simon (Fra)
Court 4 (1100)
(18) Julia Goerges (Ger) v Kristyna Pliskova (Cze)
Albert Ramos (Spa) v Robby Ginepri (USA)
Samantha Crawford (USA) v Laura Robson (Gbr)
Robin Haase (Ned) v (30) Feliciano Lopez (Spa)
Court 6 (1600)
Tim Smyczek (USA) v Bobby Reynolds (USA)
Timea Bacsinszky (Swi) v Mallory Burdette (USA)
Nicole Gibbs (USA) v Alize Cornet (Fra)
Pauline Parmentier (Fra) v Michaella Krajicek (Ned)
Court 7 (1600)
(19) Nadia Petrova (Rus) v Jarmila Gajdosova (Aus)
Nikolay Davydenko (Rus) v Guido Pella (Arg)
(25) Yanina Wickmayer (Bel) v Julia Glushko (Isr)
Barbora Zahlavova Strycova (Cze) v Kirsten Flipkens (Bel)
Court 8 (1600)
Lucie Hradecka (Cze) v (27) Anabel Medina Garrigues (Spa)
Alexandra Cadantu (Rom) v Aleksandra Wozniak (Can)
Lourdes Dominguez Lino (Spa) v Sesil Karatantcheva (Kaz)
Maxime Authom (Bel) v Bjorn Phau (Ger)
Court 10 (1600)
(24) Marcel Granollers (Spa) v Denis Kudla (USA)
Edina Gallovits-Hall (Rom) v Stefanie Voegele (Swi)
Anastasia Rodionova (Aus) v Julia Cohen (USA)
Denis Istomin (Uzb) v Jurgen Zopp (Est)
Court 11 (1600)
Guido Andreozzi (Arg) v (17) Kei Nishikori (Jpn)
Romina Oprandi (Swi) v Andrea Petkovic (Ger)
(32) Jeremy Chardy (Fra) v Filippo Volandri (Ita)
Virginie Razzano (Fra) v (28) Jie Zheng (Chn)
Court 12 (1600)
Lesia Tsurenko (Ukr) v Casey Dellacqua (Aus)
Simona Halep (Rom) v Iveta Benesova (Cze)
Daniel Brands (Ger) v Adrian Ungur (Rom)
Court 13 (1600)
Sorana Cirstea (Rom) v (16) Sabine Lisicki (Ger)
Paul-Henri Mathieu (Fra) v Igor Andreev (Rus)
Daniela Hantuchova (Svk) v (17) Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (Rus)
Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo (Spa) v Somdev Devvarman (Ind)
Court 14 (1600)
Stephanie Foretz Gacon (Fra) v Anna Tatishvili (Geo)
Hiroki Moriya (Jpn) v Ivan Dodig (Cro)
Tatsuma Ito (Jpn) v Matthew Ebden (Aus)
Su-Wei Hsieh (Tpe) v Magdalena Rybarikova (Svk)
Court 15 (1600)
Mandy Minella (Lux) v Olivia Rogowska (Aus)
Blaz Kavcic (Slo) v Flavio Cipolla (Ita)
Kristina Mladenovic (Fra) v Marina Erakovic (Nzl)
Martin Klizan (Svk) v Alejandro Falla (Col)
Court 17 (1600)
(9) Na Li (Chn) v Heather Watson (Gbr)
(31) Varvara Lepchenko (USA) v Mathilde Johansson (Fra)
Rui Machado (Por) v (25) Fernando Verdasco (Spa)
(12) Marin Cilic (Cro) v Marinko Matosevic (Aus)
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