Associated Press

Then she somehow spiked the ball right into the net from just a few feet away.

Out of whack lately because of an injured right thumb, the world No. 1 was suddenly out of sorts. Ivanovic recovered in time Tuesday to avoid becoming the first top-seeded woman to lose in the first round at the U.S. Open, rallying past Vera Dushevina 6-1, 4-6, 6-4.

"I could feel some shots, lack of practice," Ivanovic said.

Serena Williams took a more direct approach. Favored by oddsmakers to win the women's title, she overwhelmed Kateryna Bondarenko with her serve in a 6-1, 6-4 victory.

Wearing bright red, the fourth-seeded Williams was dressed for an afternoon workout — chances are, she'll reveal her more elegant outfits at evening matches. The two-time U.S. Open champion is also ready to dominate the Grand Slam event she last won in 2002.

"I don't even remember holding up the trophy," she said. "I didn't even know I won this tournament."

Seventh-seeded Venus Williams advanced, too, beating Samantha Stosur 6-2, 6-3. Like her younger sister, she's twice won this Open.

"I've had a chance to play and be healthy, so I'm excited to be here," the elder Williams said.

Sixth-seeded Dinara Safina of Russia, No. 9 Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland, No. 13 Agnes Szavay of Hungary and No. 16 Flavia Pennetta of Italy advanced. Anna-Lena Groenefeld of Germany beat No. 11 Daniela Hantuchova.

2008 U.S. Open

U.S. Open Central

Results:

• | Murray wins
• |
• | Men | |
• | Women | |
• | Men | | Men
• Day 4: Ivanovic ousted | 3: Men | Women
• Day 2: Men | Women | |

Analysis:

• Cronin: Federer's back in the mix
• Pierce: One thing missing for Federer
• Cronin: Serena's hard work pays off

Others:

• PHOTOS: Men's final | Women's final | Day 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1


• PHOTOS: U.S. Open fashion


• Singles draws: Men's | Women's


• Results: Men Women | Ranks | Schedule

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Expected to cruise, Ivanovic struggled against a Russian ranked No. 57. Down 3-2 in the third set, the French Open champion found her confidence — and her winning strokes.

The 20-year-old Serbian star had played only two matches since Wimbledon in mid-July while her thumb healed. The injury forced Ivanovic to withdraw from the Olympics before they began and kept her from practicing until last week.

"Happy finally to be without the pain," she said.

The worst start ever for a No. 1 woman at the U.S. Open came in 1967 when Maria Bueno drew a first-round bye and then lost in the second round. The last top-seeded man to lose in the first round at Flushing Meadows was Stefan Edberg in 1990.

Ivanovic was breezing as she took a 4-2 lead in the second set. Ahead 40-15, she seemed on her way to a comfortable win when, at deuce, she charged forward but netted her smash — one of her 40 unforced errors.

After that, her problems really flared.

"I dropped my concentration," she said.

Soon, Ivanovic was tentative on backhands and failed to finish forehands. Gone was her signature fist pump after winning key points. Instead, she spent more and more time looking into her family box during breaks.

Ivanovic certainly wasn't worn down from her recent hours on the court. Her travel time, however, took its toll — she left Beijing to see her doctor in Australia and then came to New York.

Despite winning her first Grand Slam championship this year, Ivanovic sensed her limited practice session would make it tough to take this title.

"I think at the moment it's a lot to ask for," she said.