Federer, Murray take US Open spotlight

Roger Federer and Andy Murray take the opening day spotlight matches as the US Open begins on Monday with the Swiss trying to create more tennis history.

Federer, the top seed, comes into the last major of the season back on the world number one ranking and ready to make another winning impression when he begins first round play against American Donald Young.

Murray begins with Russian Alex Bogomolov, who beat him in the depths of a slump in March 2011 but who has lost their last two matches.

Federer can hardly be more confident just weeks after turning 31 and ruling once again atop the ATP rankings.

“It’s going to take something special from my opponent to win,” said the 17-time Grand Slam winner. “That’s how it feels right now. Then again, I might walk away from Monday and lose the first round.

“You have to always be very careful how you say it and how you then play. I will take it one match at a time. There’s no doubt about that. I will never ever underestimate an opponent ever again.

I did that enough when I was a teenager. Those times are long gone. “I’m just happy how I’m playing. I already reached my goal for the year becoming world number one and getting Wimbledon again and getting a medal for Switzerland. It’s been incredible.

“But I do have this one left for me this year where I really, really want to do well, and I couldn’t be more happy returning here as number one, it’s super exciting.”

Murray says that a few days of rest last week cured his knee niggle. The third seed is playing at his highest seeding at a major with the injury absence of Rafael Nadal, who has not played since late June due to a left knee injury.

“It’s been fine, it was fine pretty much in Cincinnati,” said Murray, aiming for his first career Grand Slam title and confident after his Olympic quest. “I felt like I was actually moving okay there.

“I took two, three days off after Cincinnati. We came to New York and just took a couple of days away from the guys and just spent a couple of days on my own just relaxing. “Then I started training again a week ago. I have had no problems with it this week at all.”

In women’s play, holder Samantha Stosur, former champion and third seed Maria Sharapova and Belarus world number one Victoria Azarenka are all on court.