Seven of Australia’s 15 singles competitors will be in action on Day One of the US Open, as the final tennis grand slam of 2023 begins at 1am AEST on Tuesday morning.
That includes Ajla Tomljanovic, who will play her first competitive match of the year after knee surgery in January.
30-year-old Tomljanovic enjoyed the best US Open of her career in 2022, reaching the quarterfinals with a string of fine wins including over Serena Williams.
This year, expectations are understandably lower given her tough injury lay-off. But she’ll face world no. 122 Panna Udvardy of Hungary in the first round.
Before then, Storm Hunter has a brutal assignment against Karolina Muchova of Czechia – the world’s tenth-ranked player.
“It’s going to be a really tough challenge, but I’m going to go out and play my game,” Hunter said.
Olivia Gadecki and Kimberly Birrell both made it through qualifying – the latter as a lucky loser – to reach their first US Open main draws.
Birrell faces 2021 Aus Open finalist Jennifer Brady, an American who will be well supported at Flushing Meadows.
Gadecki faces the hugely exciting Russian teen Mirra Andreeva.
Alexei Popyrin and Rinky Hijikata are also both in action, as is Daria Saville.
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‘It’s New York, not f***** Serbia’ | 01:18
DAY ONE FIXTURES
AUSSIES (From 1am AEST)
Women’s singles, first round
Daria Saville (AUS) v [WC] Clervie Ngounoue (USA), Court 11, first match
[WC] Storm Hunter (AUS) v [10] Karolina Muchova (CZE), Court 12, first match
Ajla Tomljanovic (AUS) v Panna Udvardy (HUN), Court 4, third match
[LL] Kimberly Birrell (AUS) v Jennifer Brady (USA), Court 5, third match
[Q] Olivia Gadecki (AUS) v Mirra Andreeva, Court 15, fourth match
Men’s singles, first round
Alexei Popyrin (AUS) v [Q] Dominic Stricker (SUI), Court 14, fourth match
[WC] Rinky Hijikata (AUS) v Pavel Kotov, Court 15, second match
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
[1] Iga Swiatek (POL) vs Rebecca Peterson (SWE), Arthur Ashe Stadium, first match (2am AEST)
Learner Tien (USA) v [10] Frances Tiafoe vs (USA), Arthur Ashe Stadium, second match
Laura Siegemund (GER) v [6] Coco Gauff (USA), Arthur Ashe Stadium, first night match (from 9am AEST)
Alexandre Muller (FRA) v [2] Novak Djokovic (SER), Arthur Ashe Stadium, second night match
[7] Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) v Milos Raonic (CAN), Louis Armstrong Stadium, first night match (from 9am AEST).
FULL SCORE CENTRE: Every US Open match
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