Federer makes impressive start in US Open

EW YORK - Roger Federer used his vast experience to tame a green American teenager appearing on the big stage for the first time, with a 6-1, 6-3, 7-5 defeat of Devin Britton to reach the second round of the US Open Monday.

The Swiss, bidding for an historic six straight titles at Flushing Meadows, had his minor niggles against the number 1,370-ranked Britton, a US university tennis champion making his first appearance at the senior level of a Grand Slam.

Britton could not have found a tougher challenger against the 15-time Grand Slam champion, who has not lost at Flushing Meadows since 2003.

“I’m always happy to win matches at Grand Slams or any tournament, so it was a good start for me,” said Federer, winner of four titles this season including the French Open and Wimbledon.

“I was playing a guy who had absolutely nothing to lose obviously. I’m here as a five time defending champion, so it makes it a bit tricky. He did play really well.

“He had some very good spells, and I had to make sure from my side that I stayed with him and come back, because I was down a break in the second and in the third. So it was good to still get through in three sets.”

Britton admitted he came to the court quaking.

“My goal was not get crushed and make it interesting for a little while, at least. I got up a break a couple of times and that was fun for the little while that it lasted.”

In other matches, Russian eighth seed Nikolay Davydenko advanced in straightforward style as well, taking out German Dieter Kindlmann 6-3, 6-4, 7-5, while French Open finalist Robin Soderling of Sweden, seeded 12th, defeated Albert Montanes 6-1, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4.

Spanish 14th seed Tommy Robredo put out American Donald Young 6-4, 3-6, 6-2, 6-3. Swiss qualifier Marco Chiudinelli joined his friend Federer in the second round after an upset of Italy’s Potito Starace 7-6 (7-3), 7-6 (7-2), 6-0.

American John Isner saved 10 set points in the second set to overcome Romanian Victor Hanescu 6-1, 7-6 (16-14), 7-6 (7-5).

In women’s play, defending champion Serena Williams, the second seed behind Dinara Safina, rolled American Alexa Glatch 6-1, 6-4.

Former champion Kim Clijsters returned to the venue four years after her title success and two and a half years ago after retiring, marking her return to the big stage 6-1, 6-1 over Viktoriya Kutuzova of Ukraine.

Clijsters, mother of an infant daughter,is playing in her third event since deciding on a return and reaching the Cincinnati quarter-finals this month.

Women’s eighth seed Victoria Azarenka got in an opening win, defeating Romanian Alexandra Dulgheru 6-1, 6-1 while Italian 10th seed Flavia Pennetta, winner of all but three of her proceeding 22 matches, beat Edina Gallovits of Romania, 6-0, 6-4.

Compatriot Francesca Schiavone handed Austrian Yvonne Meusburger a 6-1, 6-2 loss.