Our Aussie tennis contingent have been dealt tough draws for next week’s US Open, which sees most of our stars come up against top seeds in the opening rounds. There’ll be at least ten players representing the green and gold and we’ll serve up all the action in the clubhouse when play gets underway next week.
Nick Kyrgios will have to replicate his Wimbledon form if he’s to progress to the second week of back-to-back grand slams. The 19-year-old will face 21st seed Mikhail Youzhny in the first round and potential match-ups with Spain’s Tommy Robredo and Australian Open champion Stan Wawrinka await if he’s able to progress through the draw.
Former world No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt will have to wind back the clock if he’s to progress to the second round in his 14th appearance at Flushing Meadows. The 2001 US Open champion, who has not made it to the quarter-finals stage in the last seven years will play Czech sixth seed Tomas Berdych.
Fiery Marinko Matosevic has the toughest assignment coming up against five-time US Open champion Roger Federer in his opener. Meanwhile wildcard Bernard Tomic has a winnable opener against German Dustin Brown, where a class with Spaniard David Ferrer likely awaits.
Victorian Sam Groth faces Albert Ramos-Vinolas, while Perth’s Matt Ebden will begin his campaign against Tobias Kamke.
On the women’s side of the draw, 2011 US Open champion Sam Stosur begins her title tilt against American Lauren Davis. Stosur is projected to come up against world No. 1 Serena Williams in the fourth round if she makes her way through to the round of 16.
Croatian-born Ajla Tomljanovic plays Spanish 15th seed Carlos Suarez-Navarro in her Aussie debut, while Jarmila Gajdosova meets US 27th seed Madison Keys.
Casey Dellacqua faces Austrian Patricia Mayr-Achleitner with the winner likely to play Serbian eighth seed Ana Ivanovic. Our ladies could yet have their numbers boosted with Ash Barty, Anastasia Rodionova and Daria Gavrila all still in qualifying contention.
As mentioned you’ll be able to see all the Aussies in action in the clubhouse when play in the year’s final grand slam get underway in the US this Monday, 25 August.