In early play, Venus Williams had no problems advancing to the third round defeating Mattek-Sands 6-4 6-2. Meanwhile, Amelie Mauresmo was defeated by Canadian, Aleksandra Wozniak 6-4 6-0, ending the 22nd seeds tournament. On the Men's side, Marat Safin made his first appearance in the tournament and fell to Jurgen Melzer of Austria in 4 sets. It will be his last appearance in the US Open for the 2000 Champion as he goes into retirement.

Marat Safin loses in his final Grand Slam

In his return to the Grand Slams, Rafael Nadal cruised by Richard Gasquet 6-2 6-2 6-3. Nadal showed no issues with his knees which had kept him out of play recently. In one of the more intriguing matches, 14th seeded Marion Bartoli and former Champion Kim Clijsters battled to three sets. Clijsters advanced winning the third set 6-2 continuing her successful comeback. It was a tough matchup for Bartoli who faced the unseeded Belgian who is making her comeback to the US Open and would obviously be seeded had she been playing regularly.

Other notable victors today include 13 seeded Gael Monfres and Juan Carlos Ferrero, the 24th seed from Spain in the Mens Draw. 10th seeded Flavia Pennetta advanced with a 6-0 6-0 victory against Sania Mirza. Victoria Azarenka (the 8th seed), Vera Zvonareva (the 7th seed) and Francesca Schiavone (the 24th seed) all advanced, while Anabel Medina Garrigues (the 20th seed) and one of the big upsets of the day, Agnieszka Radwanska (the 12th seed) fell to Maria Kirilenko 6-4 2-6 6-4.

Maria Kirilenko upset the 12 seed

Roger Federer defeated Simon Greul in straight sets which sets up an interesting match up against Lleyton Hewitt. Hewitt is not the player he was a few years back but could provide a stiff test for the number one seed.

Serena Williams steamrolled into the next round without any problems in the nightcap.

Comments may be posted here

Top Seeded, Dinara Safina came from behind to defeat Olivia Rogowska, 6-7 (5-7), 6-2, 6-4. Safina lost the first set in a tiebreaker and came from one break down to win the third and advance. Other early winners on day two included, Svetlana Kuznetsova, Caroline Wozniacki and Nadia Petrova, all seeded in the Womens draw. On the Mens side, Tsonga and Verdasco both advanced. The only upset thus far was a mild one. American, Jesse Witten defeated the 29th seed Igor Andreev in straight sets. 4th seeded Novak Djokovic moved on with ease, defeating Ivan Ljubicic in straight sets, 6-3 6-1 6-3. Sam Querrey, one of the sleepers in the tournament is in action against Michael Yani. Yelena Yankovic won with ease, as well. One upset on the womens side, Alisa Kleybanova the 27th seed fell to Petra Kvitova from the Czech Republic.

Dinara Safina advances

Maria Sharapova had no problems in her return to New York defeating Tsvetana Pironkova in straight sets. Sharapova had missed almost a year from a shoulder injury and looked to have plenty of power in her victory. She is on a collision course against Dementieva in the third round.

ENOUGH ALREADY, MARIA

Ok, first let me acknowledge what a great tennis player Sharapova is. She is certainly
a contender in this tournament. She is a pretty girl, she is well liked and says all the right things. However, that grunt/scream thing needs to go! It is utterly ridiculous, uncalled for and only a distraction tactic. It serves no other purpose. I have worked out with football players and watched them lift huge stacks of weights and I didnt hear a grunt as boisterous as Sharapova's. The hardest hitting Men on the tour do not scream as loud. It is time to stop. She isn't the only one who does it but she is certainly noticeable. Come on Maria. You are too good for that. Please stop!

Ana Ivanovic, the 11th seeded Woman and last years number one seed, was taken to a third set tiebreaker by Katerina Bondarenko and defeated. For the second straight year, Ivanovic departs early and continues to fall down the rankings after holding the number one spot a year ago.

Courtesy of ESPN and Youtube, here is an
interview with Roger Federer after his first
round win

Second seed, Andy Murray, looked sharp in advancing to the second round in his match against Ernests Gulbis. Gulbis, a player who seems to lose focus easily, showed glimpses of potential but could never really threaten Murray.

Comments may be posted here

It's hard to imagine Andre Agassi viewed as a "rebel" these days, but there was a time when he was labeled just that. Now, he is humanitarian with a passion for education and should be commended for his work giving back to the community. So many athletes do not e the "role model" mentality. For Agassi and Mia Hamm, David Robinson and Doug Flutie, being a role model has been a natural. Here is the video of Agassi honored prior to the night matches on the first night of US Open play.

In early action in Arthur Ashe Stadium, we saw former Champion, Kim Clijsters, return to action after a long hiatus from the game. She returned in Grand Fashion, disposing of Viktoriya Kutuzova, 6-1 6-1, in 54 minutes. No apparent rust from her "retirement" from the game. Clijsters served well, placing 70% of her first serves in play.

On the Men's side, top seeded Roger Federer cruised to a straight set victory over 18 year old American, Devin Britton, 6-1, 6-3, 7-5. Donald Young, who was once was heralded as the next great American player, fell to veteran Tommy Robredo the 14 seed, in four sets. Veteran, Tommy Haas, came from behind to win the first set against Alejandro Fallo of Columbia 7-5 and went on to win in 4 sets. Paul-Henri Mathieu of France had an early exit as the 26th seed fell to Mikhail Youzhny in four sets. The New York crowd favorite, James Blake who is seeded 21st advanced in straight sets along with Australian Lleyton Hewitt who is seeded 31. Other seeded Men to advance were Nikolay Davydenko, Robin Soderling and Philipp Kohlschreiber while Victor Hanescu was upset by American John Isner in straight sets.

Other early winners on the womens side were Victoria Azarenka, the 8th seed, from Belarus, Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland and Marion Bartoli of France, both seeded advanced as well. Serena Williams came out to a quick start making quick work of American, Alexa Glatch 6-4 6-1 and Amelie Maurismo defeated Tatjana Malek of Germany 6-3 6-4. Other seeded players advancing in day play were Vera Zvonareva, Flavia Pennetta, Anabel Medina Garrigues, Francesca Schiavone and Samantha Stosur, while the 25th seeded Kaia Kanepi fell in the opening round.

In night action, Venus Williams struggled with a knee injury and rust but rallied after losing the first set to defeat Vera Dushevina in three sets. The match ran late and Andy Roddick doesn't start his match on Ashe Stadium until after 11pm eastern time. Fortunately for fans who may have had to go to work on Tuesday morning, Roddick took little time to defeat German, Bjorn Phau, in straight sets to conclude Day one play in New York.

Comments may be posted here

Just a reminder, the US Open tennis tournament starts on Monday. As in years past, be sure to check here for daily updates during the fortnight of the last tennis major of the year.

Will Roger Federer roll again? Is Rafael Nadal back? Will Andy Roddick get another shot at Federer? How will the Williams sisters fare? And much more...be sure to check with TheSmokingPen for the latest.