NEW YORK: World No. 1 Roger Federer launched his quest for an 18th career Grand Slam title by defeating American Donald Young 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 to reach the second round of the US Open.
The 31-year-old Swiss star, seeking a record sixth title on the Flushing Meadows hardcourts, showed the form he used to win last month at Wimbledon and two weeks ago in Cincinnati by advancing in only 94 minutes.
“Being back in New York as World No. 1, it’s crazy and I enjoy it,” Federer said. “It definitely brings out the best in me. The crowds are incredible.”
Olympic champion Andy Murray, who beat Federer for London gold, battled into the second round while defending women’s champion Samantha Stosur, top seed Victoria Azarenka and third seed Maria Sharapova cruised in their openers.
Three-time US Open champion Kim Clijsters stretched her US Open win streak to 22 matches while Czech fifth seed Petra Kvitova and Chinese ninth seed Li Na also advanced by beating Britain’s Heather Watson 6-2, 6-3.
Even Federer, who next faces Germany’s Bjorn Phau, can feel some first-match tension against an opponent who should fall with ease.
“All of us, even Federer, have to get a feel for the tournament,” Clijsters noted.
Britain’s third-seeded Murray, still seeking his first Grand Slam title, struggled at times in dispatching Russia’s 73rd-ranked Alex Bogomolov 6-2, 6-4, 6-1.
Murray put a scare into his supporters by clutching his left leg after a point in the fifth game of the final set but blamed the problem on cramping after being pushed throughout the match.
Australian seventh-seed Stosur began her repeat bid with a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Croatia’s Petra Martic, while Russia’s Sharapova dispatched Hungary’s Melinda Czink 6-2, 6-2.
Clijsters, playing in the final event of her career at age 29 so she can spend more time with her family, defeated US teen Victoria Duval 6-3, 6-1. The Belgian won US Open crowns in 2005, 2009 and 2010 and hopes to claim another.
Azarenka needed only 50 minutes to oust Russia’s Alexandra Panova 6-0, 6-1 while Kvitova downed Slovenia’s Polona Hercog 7-6 (6), 6-1. (AFP)