Serena Williams, coming into what is predicted to be the ultimate event of her storied enjoying profession, drew Danka Kovinic of Montenegro within the first spherical of the U.S. Open.
The first-round pairings have been launched Thursday forward of the primary day of main-draw motion Monday at Flushing Meadows in New York.
Kovinic, 27, has by no means confronted Williams head-to-head. She is ranked No. 80 on this planet and has not superior previous the second spherical of the U.S. Open earlier than.
Should Williams handle her first-round opponent, the 40-year-old, 23-time Grand Slam winner might face No. 2 seed Anett Kontaveit of Estonia. Kontaveit’s first-round opponent is Jaqueline Cristian of Romania.
Serena’s sister Venus Williams, who acquired a wild-card entry, will face Alison Van Uytvanck of Belgium within the first spherical. Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan, the No. 25 seed, might be ready within the second spherical; Rybakina will open in opposition to a qualifier.
No. 1 seed Iga Swiatek of Poland will battle Jasmine Paolini of Italy within the first spherical, and if she wins, will draw the winner between Greet Minnen of Belgium and Sloane Stephens of the U.S.
Another marquee matchup within the first spherical pits four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka of Japan in opposition to American nineteenth seed Danielle Collins.
No. 3 seed Maria Sakkari of Greece will face Germany’s Tatjana Maria, No. 4 seed Paula Badosa of Spain will open in opposition to Lesia Tsurenko of Ukraine and No. 5 seed Ons Jabeur of Tunisia will battle Madison Brengle of the U.S.
The two highest-seeded American ladies, eighth seed Jessica Pegula and twelfth seed Coco Gauff, will every draw to-be-determined qualifiers within the first spherical.
–Field Level Media