Men’s singles second seed Roger Federer and defending women’s singles champion Serena Williams cruised past their first round opponents on Tuesday night; Day 2 of the 2014 US Open.
British number one woman Hearther Watson was completely outplayed by Romania’s Sorana Cirstea earlier that day.
The 22-year-old ranked 45th in the world held serve just once in her 6-1 6-1 loss to Cirstea.
“She hasn’t been in great form and I’ve been having a great year, and I didn’t expect to play like this,” Watson said of her conqueror, who dropped from 22nd in the WTA rankings to 80th this year.
“I thought I was playing pretty well in practice, but it’s a Grand Slam and everybody is going to bring it no matter how they’re feeling.”
Arthur Ashe Stadium
Federer, whose last of five titles at Flushing Meadows came in 2008, needed two hours and 26 minutes to end Australia’s 76th-ranked Marinko Matosevic, 6-3 6-4 7-6 (7-4).
“Marinko has got a big game, I was never quite sure what to expect,” said Federer after beating a player who is known as ‘Mad Dog’ with one of his own sports idol Michael Jordan watching in the stand. “I’m happy I came through. It was a bit more difficult than I thought it would be in the third set when I had a break. But it’s always good to win tie-breaks.”
Top women’s seed Williams was untroubled by fellow American Taylor Townsend. The 32-year-old, who also has five US Open titles, saw off her compatriot 6-3 6-1 in 55 minutes.
“I love coming out to play here. This was the first slam I won and I love to come back. I never want it to stop.,” Williams, who is chasing for her third successive title of the fourth Grand Slam, said.
Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova raced to a 6-1 6-0 win over Frenchwoman Kristina Mladenovic in 54 minutes.
“I’m very happy. First round is always nerves,” said the Czech Republican. “It was the same before this match – when I woke up, I started to feel nervous. I was just glad how I played. I remember 2011 when I lost my first round after winning Wimbledon.”
Eighth seed Ana Ivanovic also sealed a comfortable 6-3 6-0 over Alison Riske of USA in one hour and five minutes.
America’s John Isner was better than his compatriot Marcos Giron, in a contest that ended 7-6 (7-5) 6-2 7-6 (7-2)
Louis Armstrong Stadium
Men’s fourth seed David Ferrer dropped a set on his way to a 6-1 6-2 2-6 6-2 win over Damir Dzumhur of Bosnia-Hercegovina.
America’s Sam Querrey overcame Argentine Maximo Gonzalez in a 6-2 4-6 6-4 4-6 6-3 win.
Asked if this tournament was important for American players to prove they are not also-rans, Querrey said: “That’s not on my mind, but it is important. It’s the last Grand Slam of the year, only one in our country. It’s the one I think all of us would like to win more than the others. It would be great if not only one of us could make a run but a couple of us, or three or four of us and really boost American men’s tennis.”
Wimbledon runner-up Eugenie Bouchard proved too hot for Bulgaria’s Olga Govortsova.
The Canadian, who has suffered from knee and hamstring injuries since losing the Wimbledon final and has won only one match in three events, rounded off a 6-2 6-1 win over her opponents in 59 minutes.
“Obviously I would have liked more matches, but that’s the way it is sometimes,” explained Bouchard. “I feel like I practised well before, and that was the best I could do at that moment. I’m definitely feeling healthier than I have the past few weeks.”
America’s world number 27 Madison Keys beat Australia’s Jarmila Gajdosova 6-0 6-3.
Grandstand
Sam Stosur beat America’s Lauren Davis 6-1 6-4.
Jack Sock of the United States retired in the fourth set of his tie with Spain’s Pablo Andujar, with the latter leading 6-4 3-6 6-1 0-0.
Belgian Victoria Azarenka beat Japan’s Misaki Doi 6-7 (7-3), 6-4 6-1.
Number 20-ranked Frenchman Gael Monfils beat Jared Donaldson of USA 6-4 6-2 6-4.
