US Open 2014 News

Kei Nishikori needed more than two hours to dispatch the 176th-ranked Wayne Odesnik, a grinding baseliner who earned a wild card into the U.S. Open, his first appearance in five years, after serving a yearlong ban for getting caught with human growth hormone.

Novak Djokovic beat the 79th-ranked Diego Schwartzman from Argentina 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 in his opening round match at the flushing meadows.

Nick Kyrgios, the man who famously sent Rafael Nadal crashing out of Wimbledon this year, picked up three code violations in his gruelling 7-5, 7-6 (7/4), 2-6, 7-6 (7/1) over the 21st seed Youzhny, a semi-finalist in 2006 and 2010.

Maria Sharapova beat former doubles partner and childhood frined Maria Kirlenko 6-4, 6-0 in her opening game at the US Open.

High seeds and big names fended off calamity in a stream of matches that turned out more adventurous than expected.

Andy Murray defeated the 70th-ranked Dutchman Robin Haase 6-3, 7-6 (8/6), 1-6, 7-5, but was at a loss to explain the painful cramp that struck without warning -- and could have cost him the match.

Simona Halep won 6-7 (2/7), 6-1, 6-2 against the

Rafael Nadal isn't around to defend his US Open title because of a right wrist injury. Top-ranked Serena Williams is seeking her third straight championship on the women's side.