A
sh Barty heads into the U.S. Open second round on Thursday knowing little about her opponent Clara Tauson but the world number one said she is excited by the challenge the Danish teenager will offer in their first meeting.
Top seed Barty was made to work hard for a 6-1 7-6(7) win over Vera Zvonareva in the first round and the 25-year-old is confident that she can work out a way to overcome her next opponent who eased past Clara Burel 7-5 6-0.
“I like all the challenges, all different challenges that come with tennis. I think a new one, a fresh one is exciting. We go into it and hopefully we’re clear as a bell, and we can just go out and there and try and execute,” Barty said.
“To be honest, I haven’t seen a lot of her. I think that’s a little bit of homework for Tyzz (coach Craig Tyzzer) and I to go to the drawing board and see what she can offer.
“We have to have a look and go in with a clear game plan and then try and execute for us, though we haven’t seen her play or come up against her or hit with her. That doesn’t change our planning and preparation going into it.”
Alexander Zverev came through a comfortable opener against Sam Querrey but could face a tricky test against Spain’s Albert Ramos-Vinolas, who outclassed the German in their only meeting at the Barranquilla Challenger in 2014.
Novak Djokovic continues his bid for a 21st Grand Slam title when he takes on unseeded Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor while Denis Shapovalov will face Spain’s Roberto Carballes Baena.
In other second-round matches, the big-serving Karolina Pliskova meets Amanda Anisimova, Olympic champion Belinda Bencic plays Martina Trevisan and Petra Kvitova takes on Kristyna Pliskova.
Order of play on the main show courts on the fourth day of the U.S. Open on Thursday (play starts at 1500 GMT/11 AM ET unless stated, prefix number denotes seeding):
ARTHUR ASHE STADIUM (1600 GMT/12 PM ET)
1-Ash Barty (Australia) v Clara Tauson (Denmark)
4-Alexander Zverev (Germany) v Albert Ramos-Vinolas (Spain)
1-Novak Djokovic (Serbia) v Tallon Griekspoor (Netherlands)
4-Karolina Pliskova (Czech Republic) v Amanda Anisimova (U.S.)
LOUIS ARMSTRONG STADIUM
11-Belinda Bencic (Switzerland) v Martina Trevisan (Italy)
10-Petra Kvitova (Czech Republic) v Kristyna Pliskova (Czech Republic)
17-Gael Monfils (France) v Steve Johnson (U.S.)
Lauren Davis (U.S.) v 6-Bianca Andreescu (Canada)
Roberto Carballes Baena (Spain) v 7-Denis Shapovalov (Canada)
REUTERS