U.S. Open: Stars stave off upsets, Murray sees orthodontist

Roger Federer began his quest for his fifth consecutive US Open title by beating Argentina's Maximo Gonzalez in just 82 minutes, winning 6-3 6-0 6-3.

The defending champion fired 15 aces and hammered 39 winners against his opponent, ranked 118th in the world, to book a date with Brazil's Thiago Alves.

Well, I can breathe my first sigh of relief of the US Open. Andy Murray successfully negotiated his first-round match with Argentina's Sergio Roitman, 6-3, 6-4, 6-0.

As I said in my last post, one round at a time for Mr. Murray.

Hit with ross b4 dubs. Went 2 bloomingdales this am 2 get bday pres 4 patricio. Bumpd in2 my old scottish orthodontist! Weird 1 day ago from txt

Ana Ivanovic raised her racket, ready for an easy overhead slam in what was shaping up as an easy match.

Then she somehow spiked the ball right into the net from just a few feet away. Out of whack lately because of an injured right thumb, the world No. 1 was suddenly out of sorts. Ivanovic recovered in time Tuesday to avoid becoming the first top-seeded woman to lose in the first round at the U.S. Open, rallying past Vera Dushevina 6-1, 4-6, 6-4.

"I could feel some shots, lack of practise," Ivanovic said.

World number one Rafael Nadal was made to work hard for his first-round win over Bjorn Phau at the US Open.

The Spaniard eventually vanquished his German opponent 7-6 (7-4) 6-3 7-6 (7-4) at Flushing Meadows on Monday.