Good start for defending champion Federer

NEW YORK, Aug 30 (Reuters) Roger Federer took the first step towards what he hopes will be a third consecutive US Open title when he cruised past Taiwan's Wang Yeu-tzuoo 6-4 6-1 6-0 in the first round today.

The world number one was at his effortless best as he raced to victory in just one hour 41 minutes to set up a clash with the winner of the all-British clash between Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski.

''I think it was an excellent match,'' Federer said.

''It's always good to come in and play well. I had to fight hard in the first set.'' Federer, who has won four of the past five grand-slam events, was pushed hard by the world number 109 in the first set but then romped through the remainder of the match.

John McEnroe and Ivan Lendl are the only other men to have won three consecutive titles at the US Open in the professional era.

Reuters SRS VP0205