Flushing Meadows, New York (GenevaLunch) -The first round of the US Open resulted in a few scares, but no real upsets. Number one seed Roger Federer, in search of his sixth successive title in New York eased past 18 year-old American Devin Britton 6-1 6-3 7-5, dropping serve twice but coming back immediately each time. Andy Roddick, who lost an epic Wimbledon final against Federer this year beat Bjorn Phau 6-1 6-4 6-2.

Federer, who completed a career Grand Slam by winning the French Open in June and set a career record with his 15th Slam title at Wimbledon, became the first player to earn $50 million in career prize money with the victory.

“No need to write about that,” Federer said with a laugh.

After the match, Federer praised his 18-year old rival: “He did play I think 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.”

Federer seeks to win his sixth consecutive US Open title becoming the only player to do so since tennis turned professional in 1968. If he wins the Open it would be his third major title this season.

In the women’s matches Kim Clijsters, returning to tennis after a two year break, swept past Ukrainean Viktoriya Kutuzova 6-1 6-1. Venus Williams defeated Vera Dushevina 6-7 7-5 6-3, suffering patellar tendinitis in her knee, according to commentator Billie Jean King. Sister Serena breezed past Alexa Glatch 6-4 6-1.

Details: New York Times

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