Wimbledon champion Garbine Muguruza has notched up her first ever victory on Arthur Ashe Stadium on the opening day of the US Open.
Garbine Muguruza of Spain reacts during the match against Kristina Mladenovic of France in their 4th round match at the French Open. Photo: AFP
Despite winning two grand slam titles, Muguruza has never felt at home at Flushing Meadows as she has never advanced past the third round.
She opened her tournament with a straight sets 6-0 6-3 win over American Varvara Lepchenko.
"I have been here so many times and I've never done very well," said the Spaniard.
"I give everything I have on the court.
"She started a little nervous and I started well. Then it got more equal and became a good fight."
The 23-year-old Muguruza was aggressive throughout, frequently coming to the net and using her powerful ground strokes to push Lepchenko into awkward court positions.
Petra Kvitova, Wimbledon, 2015. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Twice Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova earlier scraped into the second round by beating former world number one Jelena Jankovic of Serbia 7-5 7-5.
The Czech 13th seed, in search of top form after a mediocre build-up to the year's final grand slam, struggled to adapt to Jankovic's counter-punching style but eventually wore down the 2008 runner-up to set up a meeting with France's Alize Cornet.
Kvitova returned to competition in May five months after being stabbed in her hand by an intruder at her home.
