Mats' point: Big chance for new faces

NEW YORK - The absence of several top players might be a concern for the US Open organizers but it provides a unique opportunity for some new faces of the sport to prove their worth, according to former world No 1 Mats Wilander.

Arthur Ashe Stadium was almost empty when pre-tournament favorite Garbine Muguruza opened her campaign in round one on Monday, and former men's champion Marin Cilic had only a few more spectators to entertain in the following match.

"The first impression of the crowd was a bit like, 'Wow, there are only 1,000 people watching Muguruza on the opening day of the US Open'," said Wilander, who is at Flushing Meadows as an analyst for Eurosport TV.