“If you play a big server who has been the third player of the world, won a Davis Cup, had a lot of titles under his belt, so much experience, you’ve got to be cautious,” said Djokovic, who eased past Ivan Ljubicic, dropping only seven games. “He’s got a baby on his way recently. He’s not on his best as he was a couple years ago. He hits the ball well and he serves great. I was aware of his quality.”

Lower seed Maria Sharapova was also a winner, featured in the night match due to her new Nike dress and Rafael Nadal headband, beating Bulgarian Tsvetana Pironkova 6-3, 6-0.

This year is his second time at the U.S. Open and he wants to make the most of it. Last year, Ilhan only stayed for three days. “I have visited Times Square and Chinatown. I like Chinese food. I rode the subway,” he says. “I have been to parts of Manhattan and Queens.” He apologizes for not being as fluent as he would like in English, speaking just Russian and Turkish. He seems to do fine communicating when he really wants to do it. Ilhan describes his tennis routine as being hard work but a symbol of dedication working its magic.

Andre Agassi held a press conference after his Monday night spectacle at the US Open, the highlights: On his academy: “I’m not educating because I was educated. It was quite the contrary. Not only did I leave Bradenton Academy in the ninth grade, but eighth grade was the best three years of my life.”

“I’ve talked about it a lot, and if you want to read some answers that I said, you know, you can,” the younger Williams sister said. “But I think we should talk about something else. It’s more exciting, more new…Any other questions that’s not about No. 1?”

Live interview with Federer is a good effort, talking about the twins, being “only 28 years old,” traveling with the kids, etc. Good hair day for Rog. Says Andy Roddick was “never really gone” out of the top-level players, has improved and is moving better.

Just for fun, I am trying something different. As the 2009 hard court season heads toward the finish line, I came up with some hypothetical matches between former U.S. Open champions.

If the Williams sisters were to retire with Davenport as of this writing, the U.S. would have no women in the Top 40, and three players in the Top 100 (including the 30+ Jill Craybas, and Ashley Harkleroad who is pregnant). In other words, by the time the Williams retire, U.S. women’s tennis will virtually retire with them.

Rafa may have an issue with New York. To Nadal’s credit he plays every point with utmost effort and toughness. New York draws out reserves of toughness from more fragile players. Therefore, relative to his competition, Rafa’s intensity advantage declines at Flushing Meadows.

“I wasn’t even going for No. 1 and it is an added bonus,” Serena said.