US Open 2021 - Naomi Osaka begins US Open defence against Marie Bouzkova, Ashleigh Barty to face Vera Zvonareva

Updated 26/08/2021 at 20:47 GMT

World number three Naomi Osaka will fight for her third US Open title and begins her defence against Marie Bouzkova. Winner at Flushing Meadows in 2018 and 2020, Osaka will be among the favourites but could meet world number one Ashleigh Barty in the final who kicks her tournament off against Vera Zvonereva.

Naomi Osaka, à nouveau reine de Flushing Meadows.

Image credit: Getty Images

Naomi Osaka will begin her defence of the US Open title against Czech world No.82 Marie Bouzkova.

The Japanese world number three, who withdrew from Roland Garros and Wimbledon to protect her mental health from the demands of the tour, is a two-time winner at Flushing Meadows after triumphing in 2018 and 2020.

In the other half of the draw, world number one Ashleigh Barty begins her tournament against former world number two Vera Zvonareva, who reached the final in New York in 2010.

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World number four and finalist in 2016, Karolina Pliskova, goes up against Caty McNally of the United States, while world number two seed Aryna Sabalenka plays 25-year-old Serb Nina Stojanovic in the first round.

British number one Johanna Konta will play France´s Kristina Mladenovic and look to improve on her quarter-final showing in 2019 in New York. Compatriot Heather Watson plays Slovenia's Kaja Juvan.

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