Venus survives first round challenge on Day 1 in NY

As the favorites who were in action on Day 1 advanced to the second round, Venus Williams had a tough time in her match against Vera Dushevina, while younger sister and defending champion Serena easily cruised through.

Venus suffered knee problems during her debut match in Flushing Meadows, but managed to execute her win against Dushevina with a score of 67(5) 75 63.

"She was playing very well. I had a challenge on my hands today. But I wanted to win," Williams said. "Each good shot and each not-so-good shot I put behind me and looked forward to the next one. Most of all, I just enjoyed the moment."

Serena was not challenged by American wildcard Alexa Glatch, and easily went through after winning 64 61.

Williams is now 40-0 lifetime in Grand Slam first rounds. Only two active players who have played at least three Grand Slam main draw matches are perfect in Grand Slam first rounds (Ana Ivanovic is 15-0 in Slam openers).

Kim Clijsters was also on the winner's list on Monday, as the Belgian wasn't troubled by Viktoriya Kutuzova, and easily beat the Ukrainian with a score of 61 61.

"It was really good today. Now it's a matter of trying to keep this going," said Clijsters, who hadn't played at the US Open since winning the title in 2005. "I'm definitely comfortable where I am right now, but I still feel like I can improve. The match rhythm is something I have to get used to again. Matches like today I didn't really get tested in, but the biggest key is playing those tough matches and when it becomes close, how do I react in those kinds of situations."

Monday, August 31, 2009

Singles - First Round

(1) Serena Williams (USA) d. (WC) Alexa Glatch 64 61

(3) Venus Williams (USA) d. Vera Dushevina (RUS) 67(5) 75 63

(7) Vera Zvonareva (RUS) d. Nuria Llagostera Vives (ESP) 60 64

(8) Victoria Azarenka (BLR) d. Alexandra Dulgheru (ROU) 61 61

(10) Flavia Pennetta (ITA) d. Edina Gallovits (ROU) 60 64

(12) Agnieszka Radwanska (POL) d. Patricia Mayr (AUT) 61 62
(14) Marion Bartoli (FRA) d. Rossana de los Ríos (PAR) 61 60

(15) Samantha Stosur (AUS) d. Ai Sugiyama (JPN) 64 46 64

(17) Amélie Mauresmo (FRA) d. Tatjana Malek (GER) 63 64

(18) Li Na (CHN) d. Ioana Raluca Olaru (ROU) 76(4) 63

(20) Anabel Medina Garrigues (ESP) d. (WC) Gail Brodsky (USA) 64 64

(22) Daniela Hantuchova (SVK) d. Meghann Shaughnessy (USA) 62 46 61

(Q) Chang Kai-Chen (TPE) d. (25) Kaia Kanepi (EST) 60 26 62

(26) Francesca Schiavone (ITA) d. Yvonne Meusburger (AUT) 61 62

María José Martínez Sánchez (ESP) d. (28) Sybille Bammer (AUT) 64 16 76(5)

(31) Elena Vesnina (RUS) d. Lucie Hradecka (CZE) 64 76(5)

Aleksandra Wozniak (CAN) d. Laura Granville (USA) 61 76(7)

Magdalena Rybarikova (SVK) d. (Q) Valérie Tétreault (CAN) 63 46 61

Melinda Czink (HUN) d. Maria Elena Camerin (ITA) 63 64

Maria Kirilenko (RUS) d. Mariya Koryttseva (UKR) 62 61

Anna Chakvetadze (RUS) d. (Q) Yurika Sema (JPN) 46 61 62

Timea Bacsinszky (SUI) d. (Q) Vesna Manasieva (RUS) 63 64

Sania Mirza (IND) d. Olga Govortsova (BLR) 62 36 63

Jill Craybas (USA) d. (Q) Carly Gullickson (USA) 63 76(5)

Stefanie Voegele (SUI) d. Alberta Brianti (ITA) 67(10) 61 63

Kirsten Flipkens (BEL) d. Jelena Dokic (AUS) 63 64

Michelle Larcher de Brito (POR) d. Mathilde Johansson (FRA) 16 75 61

Bethanie Mattek-Sands (USA) d. Iveta Benesova (CZE) 63 64

(Q) Angelique Kerber (GER) d. Andrea Petkovic (GER) 64 57 63

(Q) Barbora Zahlavova Strycova (CZE) d. (Q) Marta Domachowska (POL) 26 62 63

(WC) Vania King (USA) d. Anastasiya Yakimova (BLR) 21 ret. (left foot injury)

(WC) Kim Clijsters (BEL) d. Viktoriya Kutuzova (UKR) 61 61