Kuznetsova Czechs into second round

Kuznetsova, who made 70 per cent of her first serves, and Zakopalova traded three consecutive breaks to leave the Russian ahead 5-3 in the second set, and she served out in her first step of a bid to repeat her 2004 title.

8220;In the second set, I wasn8217;t playing so good, so I was just trying to get the ball back,8221; Kuznetsova said. 8220;I have to improve. I have to be more careful about my feet.8221;

Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia claimed the first upset of the day, eliminating No. 23 Tathiana Garbin 6-4, 6-3.

Other early results included No 16 Lleyton Hewitt beating Amer Delic of the United States 6-2, 6-4, 6-2 in the men8217;s draw. On the women8217;s side, No 30 Agnieszka Radwanska routed Japan8217;s Akiko Morigami 6-2, 6-1.

The second day began just like the opener, with sunny skies, slightly warmer 27 degrees Celsius 80 degrees Fahrenheit and 51 per cent humidity.

Second-seeded Maria Sharapova and No 5 men8217;s seed Andy Roddick were to play the featured night matches on Tuesday.

Sharapova was to face Italy8217;s Roberta Vinci while Roddick was to open against fellow American Justin Gimelstob, the same man he defeated in straight sets to begin Wimbledon earlier this year.

Tuesday8217;s other matches included No 3 men8217;s seed Novak Djokovic against lucky loser Robin Haase of the Netherlands. Djokovic was to face Mario Ancic, but the Croatian withdrew due to an injured right shoulder.

Late Monday8217;s session was highlighted by rhythm and blues singer Aretha Franklin entertaining the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd with a rendition of her signature song Respect.

Then Venus Williams beat Kira Nagy of Hungary 6-2, 6-18212;highlighted by a Grand Slam-record 129 mph 203 kph serve8212;and her sister Serena finished off a full opening day with a forehand smash to down German teenager Angelique Kerber 6-3, 7-5.