Venus Williams, Federer off to next round at US Open

The last grand slam for the year the US Open got underway with straight-sets wins for second seeds and tournament betting favourites Roger Federer and Kim Clijsters.Federer, seeking to regain the crown he lost last year after five consecutive titles, strolled to a 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 win over Brian Dabul of Argentina in the featured night match on the Arthur Ashe Centre Court.But there were upsets, too, as 2001 champion Lleyton Hewitt and former world number one Dinara Safina both crashed out.Victories were secured by sixth seed Nikolay Davydenko of Russia - a 6-4, 6-1, 6-3 winner over Michael Russell of the United States - and ninth seed and 2003 champion Andy Roddick, who saw off Stephane Robert of France 6-3, 6-2, 6-2.