U.S. Open Tennis Tournament Began

U.S. Open tennis tournament began on Monday, the day after Hurricane Irene in New York to escape the full force, as it raged across the region.

Crews worked overnight to clear debris from the Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York City, where the first game started with 1:00

"The crew was hard at work drying, replacing banners on lampposts that welcome fans to enter the doors and get the TV booth outside Ashe attached to the first broadcast on Monday," US Open press release said.

The road to the championship remains open for women after abdominal trauma suffered twice defending champion Kim Clijsters to retire from the tournament.

For men, analysts say it will come down to the big three: Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

Here's a look at what to expect in the tournament. Women Women have a little more interesting following the announcement that both Serena and Venus Williams will play. The sisters have been struggling with injuries and played only sporadically recently.

Reduced appearances led to a low score of the sisters, Serena seeded at 28, while Venus is seeded.

"Serena is a superstar. Being here in New York and Serena back on the field healthy and playing well is going to be incredibly exciting for the fans for the next two weeks, "said Stacey Alla Forester, director of the Women's Tennis Association.

To see another player, Caroline Wozniacki, who seek to justify its ranking number one. The location of 21 years, is under fire because it has never won a Grand Slam tournament.

Serena Williams has a good chance of winning the tournament, said Luke Jensen, a former tennis pro and ESPN analyst.

"Some may say that is very open because Clijsters retired, but is actually Serena to lose," Jensen told CNN.

"The best player who has played the game is Serena Williams. You can bring Martina (Navratilova), Billie Jean King, Chris (Evert) ... does not matter. There is a power game that nobody has ever played before. Someone has to intervene and take Serena. Maybe it's Venus. Wozniacki want to see. "Analysts say the men the title will go to one of the three best players, Novak Djokovic emphasizing great year.

Djokovic, the number one player, won the Australia Open and Wimbledon, and has an excellent record of 57-2 in matches this year.

Rafael Nadal, the No. 2 player, will defend his U.S. Open Championship 2010 and should be gunning for Djokovic, who won five games this year.

Djokovic "plays very well. What it does is something very difficult to repeat," Nadal told reporters last week. "He only lost two games during the year. For all, it's surprising, but for me it is not surprising that Djokovic is No. 1."

Roger Federer, No. 3 players, is always dangerous, even if his game has faltered a little 'this year.

"I think it is up to the Big Three," said Jensen. "Now, someone like (Andy) Murray could slip in there, but you have the big three. Nadal is a very interesting position, because Djokovic has his number with the two-handed backhand down the line. But really, the other in the locker room JV them need to step and say: "I want to play Varsity." U.S. Open Tennis Tournament Began