Venus victorious on day one at US Open

Shocks were conspicuous by their absence on the opening day of the US Open, with Venus Williams and defending champion Kim Clijsters among the seeds enjoying a comfortable passage into the second round at Flushing Meadows.

Third seed Williams had not played since losing in the quarter-finals of Wimbledon due to a knee injury, but relied on all her big-match experience to beat Italy’s Roberta Vinci 6-4 6-1 in the first evening match on Arthur Ashe Stadium.