Top 5 Photos, US Open Day 1: BJK honors Althea; Venus 21-0 in openers

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5. Seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams started her 21st US Open bid with a resounding performance. Williams posted a dominant, 6-1, 6-0 victory against Zheng Saisai to remain unbeaten in the first round at the New York major. The world No. 52 fell in the first round at the last two Grand Slams but wrote a different story Monday, as she stepped into her shots to execute her aggressive game plan.

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Wake up every morning with Tennis Channel Live at the US Open, starting at 8 a.m. ET. For three hours leading up to the start of play, Tennis Channel's team will break down upcoming matches, review tournament storylines and focus on everything Flushing Meadows.

Tennis Channel's encore, all-night match coverage will begin every evening at 11 p.m. ET, with the exception of earlier starts on Saturday and Sunday of championship weekend.

The last major of the year is in full swing, and the hard-court action on Day 1 did not disappoint. These are the Top 5 photos from Monday at the US Open.

1. Billie Jean King, an advocate for change and one of the sport's most accomplished athletes, spoke at the unveiling of the Althea Gibson sculpture that was placed just outside Arthur Ashe Stadium. Gibson was the first African-American to win a Grand Slam title, winning five in singles, and broke color barriers that enabled future champions to pursue their dreams.

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2. World No. 1 Novak Djokovic began his title defense on Monday, easing past Roberto Carballes Baena, 6-4, 6-1, 6-4. A third major of the year, and fourth US Open triumph, is within reach for Djokovic, as he takes his first step forward. The Serb will face Juan Ignacio Londero for a ticket into the third round.

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3. It's been a great year for Cristian Garin, who had his share of fan support in New York on Monday. He battled past Christopher Eubanks, 3-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4, 6-7 (4), 6-3, to set up a second-round meeting with Alex de Minaur. Garin has captured two ATP titles this year, in Houston and Munich.

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4. In just 20 minutes, No. 2 seed Ashleigh Barty found herself in a 5-0 deficit against world No. 80 Zarina Diyas, and would shortly drop the first set. However, Barty shook off the slow start and claimed Monday's opening match in Arthur Ashe Stadium, 1-6, 6-3, 6-2. The Australian will take on American Lauren Davis on Wednesday.

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5. Seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams started her 21st US Open bid with a resounding performance. Williams posted a dominant, 6-1, 6-0 victory against Zheng Saisai to remain unbeaten in the first round at the New York major. The world No. 52 fell in the first round at the last two Grand Slams but wrote a different story Monday, as she stepped into her shots to execute her aggressive game plan.

Getty Images

Wake up every morning with Tennis Channel Live at the US Open, starting at 8 a.m. ET. For three hours leading up to the start of play, Tennis Channel's team will break down upcoming matches, review tournament storylines and focus on everything Flushing Meadows.

Tennis Channel's encore, all-night match coverage will begin every evening at 11 p.m. ET, with the exception of earlier starts on Saturday and Sunday of championship weekend.