New York: Roger Federer was at his fluent best on a hectic day at the U.S. Open on Wednesday. A day after rain prevented any matches from being completed for the first time since 1987, virtually the whole tennis world was on display at Flushing Meadows.

Though 80 matches were played, upsets were quite limited. The biggest was that of the 2004 French Open champion Anastasia Myskina, who lost 6-4, 6-2 to Victoria Azarenka of Belarus.

The top-seeded Federer rebounded from a startling loss two weeks ago to overwhelm Wang Yeu-tzuoo of Taiwan 6-4, 6-1, 6-0. Aiming for his third straight Open title, Federer had won 55 straight matches on the North American hard courts before Murray beat him at the Cincinnati Masters.

``I thought I was always in control,'' Federer said after his victory here. ``I have always said that I prefer to be the favourite rather than the underdog. That's worked out for me since I became No. 1.''

Hewitt through

Former champions Lleyton Hewitt and Andy Roddick both won in straight sets. Incidentally, Roddick's 6-3, 7-6(3), 6-3 win over Kristian Pless of Denmark was the only second round match held on Wednesday.

The 15th-seeded Hewitt, the 2001 U.S. Open champion, beat Albert Montanes of Spain 7-5, 6-4, 6-3, while the fourth-seed Argentine David Nalbandian defeated Michael Berrer of Germany 4-6, 6-7(2), 6-3, 7-5, 6-2. The fifth seed James Blake needed six match points to finish off Juan Monaco of Argentina 6-3, 7-5, 7-6(7) and No. 7 Nikolay Davydenko rallied past Ramon Delgado of Paraguay 4-6, 6-4, 7-5, 6-0.

On the women's side, former winners Serena Williams and Martina Hingis won their first round encounters. Serena cruised past Lourdes Dominguez Lino of Spain 6-1, 6-2, drawing a big ovation at the Arthur Ashe Stadium. ``I love you guys, too,'' she told the crowd.

Beset by injuries for several years, Hingis drew a warm reception in her first Open appearance since 2002. She switched to her left hand to win a point at the net, then did a little hop when Peng Shuai's lob landed wide and she completed a 4-6, 6-1, 6-3 victory.

``It's good to be back,'' the 1997 champion said. ``The energy of New York itself is absolutely great.''

Sharapova on song

Maria Sharapova compiled 33 winners to only 13 unforced errors and breezed to a 6-3, 6-0 victory over Michaella Krajicek, the younger sister of 1996 Wimbledon champion Richard Krajicek.

The fifth-seeded Nadia Petrova of Russia, No. 12 Dinara Safina, the 13th seed Mary Pierce, a two-time major winner and last year's runner-up here, No. 16 Ana Ivanovic and No. 17 Daniela Hantuchova, who upset Serena in the third round of the Australian Open, all advanced to the next round. Hantuchova meets Serena next.

The 27th-seeded Frenchwoman Tatiana Golovin put paid to the hopes of American Ashley Harkleroad, winning their duel in straight sets 6-3, 7-5. It was a good start for Golovin who missed a few tournaments, including the French Open, after getting injured during the Nasdaq-100 Open in Miami in March. She plays Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska in the second round.

Known for his success on clay, the men's second seed Rafael Nadal had an easy time on the hard court. He won the first eight points en route to beating 1998 Open runner-up Mark Philippoussis 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.

Marat Safin, the 2000 U.S. Open winner, defeated Robin Vik of the Czech Republic 6-1, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3.

A first round casualty

Mahesh Bhupathi and his Belgian partner Xavier Malisse crashed out in the first round of the men's doubles, losing 4-6, 4-6 to the Czech-Russian pair of Leos Friedl and Mikhail Youzhny.

Bhupathi and Malisse wasted two break points in the first set and were also broken twice as the Czech-Russian duo took the initiative and won the opening set 6-4 in 41 minutes.

In the second set, Bhupathi and Malisse conceded 10 break points and though their opponents managed to convert just two, it was enough for them to seal the match. The second set lasted 56 minutes. — Agencies

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