Favorites Roll On First Day Of U.S. Open

(Flushing, NY) -- It was mostly chalk on the first day of the U.S. Open from New York.  Top-seeded Serena Williams rolled to a love, one straight-set victory over Francesca Schiavone while sister Venus upended 12th-seeded Kirsten Flipkens in straight sets. American Sloane Stephens also won along with Agnieszka Radwanska and Li Na on the women's side. Stephens says competing in the U.S. Open is a daunting task.

Second-seeded Rafael Nadal proved victorious in straight sets over American Ryan Harrison while David Ferrer also moved on. American James Blake announced that he will retire following this tournament.