Women's singles World no 1 Serena Williams eased to the second round of the US Open on Monday, 31 August, as she brushed aside opponent Vitalia Diatchenko to start her campaign at Flushing Meadows on a promising note.
The 33-year-old clinched 6-0, 2-0 win in the opening match after injured Diatchenko decided to retire in a match that lasted only for 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, in the men's singles, top-seeded Novak Djokovic swept aside his Brazilian opponent Joao Souza 6-1, 6-1, 6-1 to progress to the next round of the tournament.
Eight-seed Rafael Nadal advanced to the second round of the tournament as well, after beating opponent Borna Coric in four sets, 6-3, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4.
However, the first day witnessed a big upset when fourth-seed Kei Nishikori, the finalist in last year's edition, suffered a shocking 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 7-6 (8-6), 6-4 defeat to Frenchman Benoit Paire, making an early exit from the tournament.
-ANI