Former champion Billie Jean King is flanked by Venus Williams and Hungarian qualifier Kira Nagy.

Williams took the court about an hour later than scheduled for the opening night session after waiting for a rousing tribute to Althea Gibson, marking the 50th anniversary of her becoming the first African-American to win the US Nationals.

Williams broke the US Open record for fastest women's serve with a 129 mph bullet as she blasted past Nagy 6-2, 6-1 in the first round on Monday.

Photographs: Getty Images

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