Ivanovic eases into 3rd round

Fifth seed Ana Ivanovic recovered from a slow start to beat Aravane Rezai of France 6-3, 6-1 to reach the third round of the US Open on Wednesday.

Fifth seed Ana Ivanovic recovered from a slow start to beat Aravane Rezai of France 6-3, 6-1 to reach the third round of the US Open on Wednesday.

The 19-year-old Serb trailed 3-1 in the opening set but stormed back to set up a meeting with the winner of the all-Russian clash between Vera Dushevina and Ekaterina Bychkova.

Ivanovic dropped her serve in the opening game but from 3-1 down she reeled off eight straight games to lead by a set and 3-0.

Rezai held serve in the fourth game but that was her last piece of success as Ivanovic eased to victory.

Sharapova powers on

Maria Sharapova’s dazzling play matched her eye-catching attire on Tuesday in the night session as the Russian opened the defence of her US Open crown in impeccably stylish fashion.

Sporting a flaming red dress with over 600 Swarovski crystals on the bodice, second-seeded Sharapova needed just 50 minutes to see off Italy’s world number 51 Roberta Vinci 6-0, 6-1 and move into the second round.

“Every corner I turn here I get goose bumps because of all the great memories,” Sharapova said. “When you come back to the place where you won your second major it's incredible.”

The 1997 champion, Martina Hingis of Switzerland was in a pensive mood following her 6-0, 6-3 win over French youngster Mathilde Johansson.

“I see the freshness and hunger, how I used to be,” Hingis said. “When you get older, priorities change. You look at life differently. There are days you think that was a nice lifestyle when you train every day like six hours.

“But then on the other hand, right now I feel like I don't want to miss a minute of being out there, being able to compete.”

Hantuchova out

The most notable upset of the day had ninth seed Daniela Hantuchova sent packing by Ukrainian Julia Vakulenko 6-4 3-6 6-1, marking the 24-year-old Slovak’s earliest exit at Flushing Meadows since her 2001 debut.

Roddick wins

Andy Roddick swept past fellow American Justin Gimelstob 7-6 (6), 6-3, 6-3 on Tuesday to reach the second round of the US Open.