Baghdatis only got 36% of his first serves on target

The 18th seed made a slow start to the match and paid the price for a feeble 36% tally on his first serve.

Spain's Juan Carlos Ferrero was another big name to fall early, as he lost 6-3 6-4 6-4 to compatriot Feliciano Lopez.

Meanwhile, Roger Federer began his bid for a fourth straight title with a 6-3 6-2 6-4 win over Scoville Jenkins.

"It's always nice to come back to New York as defending champion," said Federer. "I'm happy to have won my first one. I'm happy I'm through.

"It always feels like a bit of a relief. Now I can relax a little maybe."

I served so badly today Juan Carlos Ferrero

Federer is trying to become the first man to win four straight US Open titles since Bill Tilden in 1923.

France's Richard Gasquet, seeded 13, saw off Sergio Roitman of Argentina 7-5 6-1 6-2, and Czech ninth seed Tomas Berdych beat Frenchman Marc Gicquel 6-3 7-6 (7-0) 6-2.

Tenth seed Tommy Haas of Germany overcame a tricky start to beat Belgian Steve Darcis 6-7 (5-7) 7-5 6-3 6-4.

Ferrero, the 21st seed and a potential fourth-round opponent for Federer, shrugged off his disappointing performance.

"It's just another tournament," said the Spaniard. "I know it's a Grand Slam, but I lost in the second round last year and the world's still turning."

606: DEBATE Your thoughts on day one

Ferrero added: "I served so badly today. The balls here don't help me because I like to hit with a lot of spin but when you hit the ball it's like they are dead.

"If you can serve big and hit the ball flat, it's better."

Fourth seed Nikolay Davydenko defeated teenager Jesse Levine 6-4 6-0 6-1.

Davydenko has been caught up in a betting controversy involving his injury-affected defeat by Martin Vassallo Arguello, and the Russian admitted the issue was an unwelcome distraction.

"I've never gambled in my life and I don't know any guys who do," he said.

"It's difficult - it's like mentally you are tired, not physically. It would be good for me to take a rest and nobody hear nothing about me."