Baghdatis crashes, Jankovic advances

Jankovic began the day on the main Arthur Ashe Stadium show court and after taking a 6-2, 5-1 lead, lost four straight before finally subduing Jamila Gajdosova of Slovenia 6-2, 7-6 7-2 Gajdosova survived double-match point at 5-4 to break Jankovic for a second time. She held and forced the tie-breaker, but the Serbian closed out the victory in 1:20.

Unlike last year, when rain disrupted play throughout the first week, the tournament began under mostly sunny skies with temperatures around 26 degrees Celsius and 54 per cent humidity.

No. 28 Ai Sugiyama was the first to advance to the second round, despatching Andreja Klepac of Slovenia 6-3, 6-1. The Japanese player converted four of six break points.

In other early matches, No. 15 Dinara Safina beat Catalina Castano of Colombia 6-2, 6-3 and No. 27 Vera Zvonareva defeated Alina Jikdova 6-0, 6-7 5 6-0.