Last year finalist and 16-time Grand Slam winner Roger Federer, defending women's champion Kim Clijsters will feature on the opening day action at U.S Open on Monday.

Federer begins his quest for the sixth U.S Open title against Argentina's Brian Dabul. Last year Federer lost the championship match against another Argentine Juan Martin Del Potro, who is not playing this year due to wrist injury.

"It was a disappointing loss for me, I felt like that was one of the finals I should never have lost. At the end Del Potro played great and deserved the victory. It was a tough one to swallow."

Clijsters faces Greta Arn of Hungary in the first round action.

Clijsters won in 2005 but could not defend her title in 2006 because of injury. She skipped the event in 2007 and 2008 before a fairytale return last year.

"I'm so excited to be back to defend my title. This is a first for me," she said.

Third seeded Venus Williams start against Italy's Roberta Vinci. It will be Williams first tournament since her appearnce in Miami this year.

"I've had more rest than everyone, I should be fresh," Williams said.

Andy Roddick will play Frenchman Stephane Robert in his first match which coincides with his 28th birthday.

"Birthday or no birthday, you come in to try to win one," said Roddick." I don't think too much about age, numbers, whatever. I'll play til I can, until I feel like I shouldn't anymore."

American teen sensation Melanie Oudin, who knocked out Maria Sharapova and Elena Dementieva en route to quarterfinals last year, will open against Olga Savchuk of Ukraine.

“I definitely feel a lot more pressure than last year,” Oudin said.  “Almost every person in the United States expects me to win every single match I play, so, I mean, that’s kind of a little bit of pressure.”