US Open 2019: Roger Federer and Serena Williams secure second round spots with victories on Monday

Roger Federer and Serena Williams both won their US Open first round matches on Monday, with the former world No 1s emerging victorious against Sumit Nagal and Maria Sharapova, respectively.

Federer – who shares the record for the most titles won at Flushing Meadows (5) – recovered after dropping the first set against Indian qualifier Nagal, eventually sealing a 4-6 6-1 6-2 6-4 victory with an unreturned serve.

The match marked Nagal’s first ever appearance in the main draw of a major at senior level, and Federer was full of praise for his opponent’s performance.

“It’s never easy to come out and play your best, even though it’s kind of what you live for, you dream about – playing on the big stage,” the 38-year-old said after the match. “So I think he did that very well.

“I think he knows what he can bring. That’s why I think he’s going to have a very solid career.”

Federer acknowledged that he had to regain focus after surprisingly surrendering the opening set.

“Trying to forget the first set is never easy in a first round, under the lights. People expect a different result. I expect something else.

“I just wanted to pick up my game really and start to play better. I was able to do that.

The 20-time Slam champion also identified the areas of his game that can be improved upon as the fortnight progresses in New York.

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“The thing is, I wasn’t serving consistently enough. I was hitting double faults that usually I don’t do.

“Also, I was just hitting too many unforced errors. I was in two minds, I guess.

“I was able to clear that a little bit. Maybe it’s not a bad thing to go through a match like this.

Federer faces Damir Dzumhur of Bosnia in the second round.

Meanwhile, Williams enjoyed a smoother start to her US Open campaign with a 6-1 6-1 victory over long-time rival Sharapova.

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The two former world No 1s shared the court for just one hour before last year’s runner-up secured the victory.

Williams – who lost last year’s final as world No 1 Naomi Osaka won her maiden Grand Slam – entered the first round match with a dominant 19-3 winning record over Sharapova, and the Russian never looked like reducing that deficit.

“The body is good, I feel good,” Williams – a six-time US Open winner – said after the contest.

“My back is a lot better, so I’m excited, this is going to be fun.”

The 23-time Grand Slam champion credited her daughter for inspiring the straight-sets win.

“I play with my baby, I’m obsessed with my daughter,” she said.

“We were at the fair the other day, so maybe we’ll go back. But that’s what I do to relax.

“I come out here and I have such a great opportunity to play this sport in front of you guys, and then I feel even more blessed to come home to my family. It’s the best.”

The American clashed with chair umpire Carlos Ramos in last year’s final, and the Spaniard will not oversee any of Williams’ matches at this year’s tournament.

“Yeah, I don’t know who that is,” she told a reporter who asked how she felt about the USTA’s decision on Ramos.