Defending champ Kuznetsova upset at Open

FLUSHING MEADOWS, N.Y., Aug. 29 (UPI) -- Svetlana Kuznetsova Monday became the first defending women's champion to lose a first-round match at the U.S. Open tennis championships.

The fifth-seeded Russian had 45 unforced errors while losing to countrywoman Ekaterina Bychkova, 6-3, 6-2. Bychkova was playing in her first career grand slam event.

Serena and Venus Williams were both straight-set winners. Serena beat Yung-Jan Chan of Taiwan, 6-1, 6-3 and sister Venus defeated Rika Fujiwara of Japan, 6-3, 6-1.

Kim Clijsters of Belgium, the runner-up in 2003, returned to the U.S. Open with an easy 6-1, 6-2 win over German qualifier Martina Muller. Clijsters missed the Open last year due to a left wrist injury.