Clijsters wins first match

Kim Clijsters, who recently returned to tennis after retiring to start a family, easily won her first match at the U.S. Open today, beating Viktoriya Kutuzova of Ukraine 6-1, 6-1.



Clijsters went ahead five-nil in 20 minutes and stayed in control throughout, wrapping up the victory by reeling off the last 11 points.



The 26-year-old Belgian left tennis in 2007, got married and had a child. She returned to the tour this month, and today’s victory means she will enter the rankings after the U.S. Open.



There were also easy wins for seeds Victoria Azarenka and Agnieszka Radwanska.



Eighth seed Azarenka was a 6-1, 6-1 winner against Alexandra Dulgheru, while Pole Radwanska, seeded 12, thrashed Patricia Mayr 6-1, 6-2.



Roger Federer of Switzerland starts his bid for a sixth successive US Open title, while American Serena Williams will also be in action.



Federer will soon take the court to face American Devin Britton, while Williams takes on Vera Dushevina of Russia.