US Open 2009: Day 1 Matches Review

The US Open 2009 kicked off today. The tournament will take place at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center at Flushing Meadows, New York City, August 31 to September 13. The center stage of the tournament is the Arthur Ashe Stadium. This year marks the 128th installment of the tournament. Last year the tournament was traditionally Swiss and American with Roger Federer winning the men's singles title and Serena Williams claiming the women's title.

The highlights of Day 1:

--Roger Federer looks as strong as ever. World's No.1 racquet is on a mission to claim his sixth consecutive US Open title. Federer has not lost since 2004. Today, Federer opened nicely by beating the 18-year-old Devin Britton of USA, who made his Grand Slam debut. Federer had praise for the inexperienced American teenager.

--Serena Williams was off to a good start as well. She beat compatriot American Alexa Glatch.

--Amelie Mauresmo (No. 17) has gained on Tatjana Malek, a 21-year-old player from Germany. Mauresmo is the former World No. 1, having had won Australian Open and Wimbledon in 2006.

--The 2005 US Open title holder Kim Clijsters of Belgium is looking to regain her Grand Slam prowess. She axed Ukraine's Viktoriya Kutuzova.

Among other notable players to have advanced today are: Robin Soderling of Sweden, Nikolay Davydenko of Russia, Victoria Azarenka of Belarus, and Agnieszka Radwanksa of Poland.

Still to play their first round matches are: Venus Williams and Andy Rodick of USA; Dinara Safina, Elena Dementieva, Maria Sharapova and Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia; Novak Djokovic, Ana Ivanovic and c of Serbia; Andy Murray of Great Britain; and Maximo Gonzalez of Argentina.

This year, Rafael Nadal will once again miss his chance to challenge Federer for the US Open title due to his injuries. Nadal had to miss this year's Wimbledon, making him World No.3 currently.