Shahar Peer made hard work of beating Jelena Kostanic Tosic to reach the second round of the US Open.

Seeded 16, Peer had her serve broken twice in the first set against the Croatian, who is ranked 1033 in the world, before finally prevailing 7-5.

The Israeli also looked unconvincing in the second set before winning 6-4 for a straight sets victory.

She will need to improve her form if she wants to go further at Flushing Meadows although she has a relatively easy second round tie against Pauline Parmentier of France, 105 in the WTA rankings.

Dudi Sela (95) will be hoping to reach the second round of a grand slam tournament for the first time since Wimbledon 2009 when he takes on Xavier Malisse (50) of Belgium later today.

There is guaranteed to be an Israeli in the second round of the men doubles after the first round draw pitted Andy Ram and his Austrian partner Julian Knowle against Jonathan Erlich and his Australian partner Jordan Kerr.