Capriati strolls into second round

Second seed Jennifer Capriati began her quest for a third Grand Slam title this year with a 6-2 6-1 thrashing of Dutch player Amanda Hopmans on Tuesday.

The Australian and French Open champion used her powerful groundstrokes to control most of the points in the 63-minute clash with the 142nd-ranked Hopmans under the lights at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

"I think it was great. I played really good tonight," said the 25-year-old world number two.

"I'm glad I was able to get out there and get used to the conditions, get used to playing at night," said Capriati, who admitted to being more comfortable playing during the day.

"Maybe it will be a new thing that I'll start to like," said the American after breaking serve six times in the match.

If playing under the lights was not particularly to her liking, it was not evident in her performance.

Capriati's only stumble came on her first service game of the second set when Hopmans converted the lone break point she was afforded. But it proved to be the only game the Dutchwoman would take in the set.

There was a surreal moment early in the second set when white smoke from a greasefire at a hamburger stand started billowing through an exit into the upper decks of the stadium.

But play did not stop and the unfazed New York fans in the area never left their seats.

"It was just weird," said Capriati. "The stadium started to get really smoky. That was the only thing bothering me."

Capriati said she felt no added pressure from her new status as a Grand Slam champion and as one of the pre-tournament favourites.

"It totally feels different. It was something that I've waited for my whole career," she said.

"That in a sense also takes the pressure off and I'm just really happy with the way I've played this year.

"This is the last Grand Slam of the year and I'm going to give it all I've got."