Serena shimmers on opening day in New York

Serena Williams dazzled New York's hot dog-munching, cat-calling U.S. Open crowd on Monday night, flooring fellow American Corina Morariu 6-2 6-3 in a brutal floodlit first round display.

The world number one waited patiently in the wings at the start of the night session as the Flushing Meadows crowd paid tribute to those killed in the September 11 attacks last year.

One of the two American flags recovered from the remains of the Twin Towers was carried into the stadium in an emotional scene amid members of the New York police and fire departments.

But once Serena, shimmering in a short-legged, all-in-one, black leather-look, skin-tight outfit, was let loose all eyes were on the court.

The younger sister and runner-up to Venus Williams here last year did not disappoint.

The brave Morariu, playing her first grand slam since recovering from leukaemia earlier this year, was powerless against a barrage of heavy hitting and vicious serving from the pink-shoed top seed.

"This is my new design, it's my little cat-suit," Serena said of her bizarre outfit. "It makes me run faster and jump higher and is really sexy. I love it."

Serena's victory completed a successful day for the leading women's seeds. Earlier, Lindsay Davenport, Jelena Dokic and Justine Henin wasted little time tearing past stunned opponents.

GLAMOUR QUOTIENT

Sixth seed Andre Agassi thumped compatriot Robby Ginepri 6-3 6-3 6-3 in a straightforward final match of the night, but not all the leading men had things their own way as Albert Costa and James Blake dropped sets on the road to the second round.

Fourth seed Davenport needed just 41 minutes to demolish Denmark's Eva Dyrberg 6-2 6-1 in a performance of power and precision on Arthur Ashe court.

"I'm feeling really, really good," the former world number one said. "I'm just ready to go."

Her whirlwind victory followed Belgian eighth seed Henin's 67-minute 6-1 6-2 walloping of America's Samantha Reeves.

Fifth seed Dokic was no less convincing, thrashing Germany's Greta Arn 6-2 6-2.

French Open champion Costa, the eighth seed, moved into the second round of the men's event but he needed four sets to beat former world number two Magnus Norman of Sweden 6-2 6-4 3-6 6-3.

Fans' favourite James Blake, seeded 25, had to survive a bout of cramps and a spirited display by fellow American Brian Vahaly to squeeze through 6-7 6-3 6-3 7-6.

The tournament's glamour quotient took a heavy blow on the opening day when the unseeded Anna Kournikova slumped out after an embarrassing and lacklustre 6-3 6-0 defeat by teenage Indonesian Angelique Widjaja.

LOP-SIDED WIN

The Russian had never suffered a first round defeat at Flushing Meadows since her debut in 1996, but threw in 40 unforced errors to allow the 17-year-old Widjaja to clinch victory.

"Of course it is a big disappointment," she said.

American teenager Ashley Harkleroad also bowed out on Day One, slumping 6-3 6-2 to 1997 French Open champion Iva Majoli of Croatia.

A beaming Davenport said she would certainly be fresh after her lop-sided win.

"I was really wanting the tournament to start," she said. "I have been waiting to play a grand slam all year long."

Champion here in 1998, Davenport is playing only her fifth tour event of 2002 having undergone right knee surgery in January.

"This is certainly the freshest I have been entering a U.S. Open," she laughed. "I was really excited to get going."

Blake, who won his maiden ATP Tour title in Washington earlier this month, was treated for leg cramps and a shoulder injury by trainer Doug Spreen in the fourth set of his clash.

The former Harvard student was massaged for leg cramps when trailing 5-4 and had his left shoulder treated when 6-5 down.

"I was pretty happy to get it over with," he said afterwards. "I didn't want to play five sets where there was a chance it could have got worse."