US Open tennis: Early Serena, Sharapova clash as Barty eases into first round

Serena and Sharapova will bring first round fireworks, while Ash Barty has an easier start to the US Open.

Barty’s form leading into the US Open has been sound, though not as dominant as it was in the early part of the year. Picture: Ella Pellegrini

While superstars Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova will face off in a blockbuster US Open first round, Ash Barty has drawn favourably for a tilt at a second major title this year.

The world No 2 is among five Australian women in the year’s last major, though that number may swell when qualifying is completed today.

The French Open champion has drawn Zaria Diyas from Kazakhstan, a 25-year-old who has won 79 of her 179 tour matches, in the opening round.

The pair have clashed once, with Barty successful in straight sets in Malaysia in 2013 in her initial foray on the tour prior to the sabbatical that helped her regroup and become a grand slam champion.

Barty, who warmed up for the US Open with an exhibition against American teenage phenomenon Cori Gauff in North Carolina this week, would then face the capable Lauren Davis or a qualifier if successful.

Talented pair Maria Sakkari or Camila Giorgi shape as potential third round rivals, while Angelique Kerber, Williams and Sharapova and Elina Svitolina are among established stars in her half of the draw.

Her form leading into the US Open has been sound, though not as dominant as it was in the early part of the year.

After a career-best fourth-round appearance at Wimbledon, she enjoyed a break at home in Brisbane. Barty then resumed when beaten in a tight three set affair by emerging American Sofia Kenin, who also took a set off her at the French Open.

She looked sharper in Cincinnati until falling to rejuvenated Russian Shetland Kuznetsova, a dual-grand slam champion, in the semi-finals.

Happy return

Flushing Meadows holds good memories for the Australian. It was the scene of her maiden grand slam title a year ago, with Barty outstanding when partnering CoCo Candeweghe to victory in the women’s doubles.

It was also the venue that suggested the Australian was about to become a force at major level, with the 23-year-old performing well a year ago when reaching the last 16 for the first time in a grand slam.

The Roland Garros champion’s compatriots fared only reasonably in the women’s draw.

Australian No 2 Ajla Tomljanovic plays Marie Bouzkova, who is ranked seven spots below her at 55, but did reach the semi-finals in Canada earlier this month.

2011 US Open champion Sam Stosur faces Ekaterina Alexandrova, who is an exciting talent, while Dasha Gavrilova resumes from injury against Fiona Ferro, who thrashed her at Eastbourne prior to Wimbledon.

Western Australian Astra Sharma has a reasonable draw against Poland’s Magda Linette, who is ranked 80.

Serena vs Sharapova

But it is the clash between the two superstars which will draw the most attention, at least early on.

Williams is still trying to level Margaret Court’s record of 24 grand slams. Since returning to the tour after the birth of her daughter Olympia, she has reached three major finals, but was well beaten on each occasion.

The most recent was at Wimbledon, where she was completely outgunned by Simona Halep.

The 37-year-old looked to have regained her best form in the Canadian Open but was forced to withdraw in the final against emerging star Bianca Andreescu with a back problem.

She subsequently pulled out of a tournament in Cincinnati.

Sharapova has failed to recapture her last glory since resuming from a doping suspension. Troubled by a shoulder problem in recent years, she has made only one quarterfinal at major level over the past four seasons and her last major title came in Paris in 2014.

The 32-year-old was comprehensively beaten by Barty in Cincinnati a fortnight ago.

There is no love lost between two of the megastars of women’s tennis this century. Sharapova famously stunned Williams at Wimbledon in 2004 to claim her first grand slam title.

But the 23-time major champion has been on a mission since and leads their head-to-head record 19-3, with Sharapova’s record inflated by a fourth round forfeit from Williams at last year’s French Open.

Williams, whose tantrum in last year’s final against Naomi Osaka is among the most infamous incidents in tennis, holds favouritism for this year’s event.

But in a sign of her waning dominance, a listing of $6 from the TAB is generous compared to the assessments of her when she was in her pomp.

Halep, who draws a qualifier, is second favourite for the event ahead of Barty, who is considered a $10 chance.

Andreescu was successful in Indian Wells and also claimed the Canadian Open in an injury-plagued year. She faces American wildcard Katie Volynets.