Sports

Federer, Clijsters top Young opponents

What the first night of this year’s U.S. Open lacked in quantity, it made up for with quality as legends Roger Federer and Kim Clijsters — boasting eight titles between them — kicked off their quests for another title with authoritative wins over young Americans.

Federer beat Donald Young 6-3, 6-2, 6-4, continuing his resurgence as the world’s top-ranked player while Young, the one-time prodigy, deepened his sad slide out of the Top 100— and likely into the Challenger Circuit.

“Being back in New York as world No. 1, it’s crazy and I really enjoyed it. It definitely brings the best out of me — the crowds are amazing,’’ said Federer, 22-0 at night in the Open.

He broke at love in the eighth game of the first set and served out to take it 6-3, then said the key for Young would be recommitting himself.

“He’s a great player. It’s a matter of working hard. It’s grind. It’s not always center court then one day you get rewarded with the big matches. Maybe he needs to understand the tour is more about the grind of the outside courts. … It’s just a matter of having the right mindset.’’

Federer, 31, defied his doubters by winning Wimbledon to reclaim the world No. 1 spot. He’ll face German Bjorn Phau tomorrow in the second round after dispatching Young, the mistake-prone lefty who displayed the iffy conditioning and sloppy backhand that have plagued him. Ranked in the 30s in February, Young is 3-22 this year and has fallen apart.

Clijsters began the final tournament of her career with a 6-3, 6-1 win over teen Victoria Duval, playing her first tour-level match against the star she grew up idolizing.

Clijsters, who will face Laura Robson tomorrow, hasn’t lost at the U.S. Open since 2004, missing three years for her retirement and last year with an injured stomach muscle. She’s retiring after this Open, and — despite a tough draw and potential third-round date against Li Na — is eyeing her fourth crown.

“I’ve always felt comfortable on hardcourts, especially here in New York,’’ said Clijsters. “There’s a lot of great feelings and positive emotions whenever I’m out here.’’

Duval, whose parents emigrated to the United States from Haiti, led 3-2 in the first set before Clijsters won 10 of the last 11 games.

“The crowd was amazing. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience. I definitely felt like the luckiest 16-year-old kid,’’ said Duval. “Kim’s last tournament, being able to play her, this is a moment I’ll never forget.’’