Audio By Carbonatix
Top seed Karolina Pliskova started her bid for a first Grand Slam title with a comfortable win against Poland's Magda Linette in the US Open first round.
The Czech world number one, 25, was not at her fluent best, making 19 unforced errors in a 6-2 6-1 victory.
But ultimately Pliskova - last year's beaten finalist - had too much power for her 72nd-ranked opponent.
She hit eight aces and 29 winners to beat Linette, who has only one US Open win, in one hour and 18 minutes.
"I felt a little bit nervous coming out here, especially after last year. But I think I played pretty solid," Pliskova said.
Pliskova must reach the final to have a chance of retaining her ranking, with six other women all hoping to overtake her by winning at Flushing Meadows.
She has a lot of ranking points to defend after last year's defeat by Angelique Kerber, a fact perhaps contributing to a few nerves ahead of Tuesday's opening match on Arthur Ashe Court.
Latest Stories
-
A Closer Look at a 21-Day Religious Fast
19 minutes -
NPP’s Osei Nyarko condemns ‘high-handedness’ in crackdown on driver overcharging
36 minutes -
Gwollu, Resistance, and Renewal: The living legacy of the Tanjia Musa Fire Festival
51 minutes -
Ofori-Atta isn’t scared of criminal prosecution, he will come at the right time – Frank Davies
59 minutes -
Firefighters battle blaze at Madina Market
1 hour -
“Metro Mass was in a sorry state, panting for breath when we took over” – MD Cezario Kale
1 hour -
Japan restarts world’s largest nuclear plant as Fukushima memories loom large
1 hour -
AG ‘extremely hopeful’ for Ofori-Atta’s return, acknowledges February 19 U.S. Court deadline
1 hour -
Ghana’s High Commissioner to UK engages tech innovator Danny Manu on potential Ghana projects
1 hour -
Adutwum best placed to lead NPP into 2028 elections – Campaign team
2 hours -
NPP delegates will make history by electing Dr Adutwum as flagbearer – Campaign Team
2 hours -
Digital intelligence, environmental disaster: AI’s hidden climate crisis
2 hours -
Relief for Tema residents as GWL fixes major transmission line
2 hours -
African Trade Chamber appoints Anthony G. Hylton to advisory board
2 hours -
Majority rejects minority’s call for Ablakwa’s removal
2 hours