Federer records easy win

Roger Federer opened his bid for a fifth successive US Open title with a straightforward 6-3 6-0 6-3 triumph over Argentina's Maximo Gonzalez at the Billie Jean King Tennis Center on Tuesday night.

Federer has not won a Grand Slam this year, having lost in the finals of the French Open and Wimbledon to Rafael Nadal, who subsequently ended the Swiss' four-and-a-half-year reign at the top of the world rankings.

But Federer, who last year won his 12th Grand Slam title with victory at Flushing Meadows to move within two of Pete Sampras' record, was at home on the Arthur Ashe Stadium hardcourt, defeating world number 118 Gonzalez in one hour 21 minutes.

The 27-year-old, seeded number two at a Grand Slam for the first time since the 2004 Australian Open, broke Gonzalez in the eighth game and took the first set comfortably before winning the second set without dropping a game.

Gonzalez lost his opening service game in the third set, but broke back immediately before Federer regained control with a break in the seventh game.

That proved crucial as Federer completed a straight-sets triumph to set up a second round meeting with Brazilian Thiago Alves, the world number 137, who beat Chile's Paul Capdeville in five sets.