The US Open gets under way with top seeds Roger Federer and
Justine Henin playing at the cavernous Arthur Ashe Stadium on
Monday.
Roger Federer of
Switzerland plays a return to Scoville Jenkins of the US during
their match at the US Open tennis tournament in Flushing Meadows,
New York August 27, 2007. (Photo: Reuters)
Federer, the Swiss seeking his 12th grand slam title, should
have little trouble against American Scoville Jenkins. The
20-year-old is ranked 320th in the world and has a 2-3 record in
2007.
Belgium's Henin is also expected to roll over Germany's Julia
Georges in their first-ever meeting. The 2006 Open finalist,
however, is refusing to take anyone lightly.
"My first match remains something really important to me," said
Henin, the 2003 champion, who lost to Maria Sharapova in last
year's final.
Sisters Serena and Venus Williams will play under the lights on
Monday night during an evening session dedicated to the 50th
anniversary of Althea Gibson's groundbreaking US Open triumph.
Gibson in 1957 became the first African-American player, male or
female, to win the title at the US National Championships.
"She didn't even get to play professional until she was way
older when she could have probably won so many more titles," Serena
told reporters.
"I just really, really am glad I have an opportunity to be able
to play.
"I'm happy. Althea makes me happy and excited to be black."
Eighth-seeded Serena will play Angelique Kerber of Germany while
number 12 Venus will face Hungary's Kira Nagy.
(CRI via Reuters August 28, 2007)
