Damir Dzumhur

Williams and Gauff will meet for the second time in what is a blockbuster opening-round encounter.

But there are several intriguing clashes in the first round at the year's first grand slam and we take a look at six of the best.

Damir Dzumhur v Stan Wawrinka [15]

Wawrinka would have preferred a friendlier draw than a man he has lost to in two of their three meetings. The Swiss 2014 champion was resurgent last year, while Dzumhur has been unable to replicate the form of his breakout season in 2017. Still, the Bosnian beat Wawrinka in three sets on clay in Geneva last year so the three-time grand slam champion will have to be near his best.

Daniil Medvedev [4] v Frances Tiafoe

Tiafoe thrilled during a run to the quarter-finals in Melbourne last year, but that would prove to be the high point of his 2019. The American has made a slow start to 2020 with first-round losses in Doha and Auckland, but was competitive against Medvedev in a 6-2 7-5 loss in Washington last year. After a spectacular 2019 that included reaching the US Open final, Medvedev shapes as the most likely to stop the 'Big Three', although he will need to get through a somewhat tricky opener first.

Sam Querrey v Borna Coric [25]

While he has dropped off since 2017, Querrey will fancy his chances against Coric after the Croatian's difficult finish to last year. Coric finished 2019 with six straight losses and suffered two more at the ATP Cup, to go with a win over Dominic Thiem. After four consecutive first-round exits in Melbourne, Coric reached the fourth round last year, while Querrey has never been beyond the third round in Melbourne. Coric won their only previous meeting at the French Open in 2015.

Venus Williams v Coco Gauff

Arguably the pick of any first-round match, the 39-year-old Williams meets the 15-year-old Gauff once more. Gauff stunned Williams 6-4 6-4 at Wimbledon last year and her ranking then (313) compared to now (66) tells the story of how she finished 2019 as the teenager followed it up with a title win in Linz. Williams withdrew from Brisbane due to injury, making this a hugely tough task for the seven-time grand slam singles champion.

Kristina Mladenovic v Karolina Pliskova [2]

Pliskova has enjoyed Melbourne in recent years, reaching at least the quarter-finals in each of the past three, but was handed a tough start in 2020. The Czech is coming off a title win in Brisbane and that will give her much-needed confidence ahead of facing former world number 10 Mladenovic. The pair have split their previous four meetings, with Mladenovic winning the last of those in 2017.

Donna Vekic [19] v Maria Sharapova

A wildcard, Sharapova was always going to be the danger in the draw – and she landed alongside 19th seed Vekic. Vekic enjoyed a fine 2019 to rise into the world's top 20, while Sharapova battled injuries and has fallen to 145th in the rankings. Vekic should be the favourite to advance, but if five-time major winner Sharapova can find some form, the Russian is always a threat and last bowed out in the opening round in Melbourne in 2010.

The world number one eased past Damir Dzumhur in his first-round match on Monday, winning 6-1 6-4 6-1 in just under two hours.

Djokovic seemed perturbed in the second set, bellowing towards his box in the empty stands and later questioning chair umpire Damien Dumusois about why the serve clock is being implemented differently at Flushing Meadows compared to last week's Western & Southern Open.

The Serbian feels it was not made clear enough that umpires would begin the countdown much sooner from this week.

"Yes, that's the problem that I have. I was not aware of it. No one really brought it to my attention," he said. 

"The lack of communication is something that worries me once again. I mean, that's something that really upset me. I don't mind if someone communicates and maybe asks the opinion of us players because we're the ones who are supposed to play. But it's going to greatly affect the match.

"We've played in the certain tempo, so to say, [we] got used to it during the Western & Southern tournament, which just ended two days ago. Two days later we have a different rule that was just not communicated to us. That's something that I found just not acceptable, not fair. But I guess I have to deal with it, and that's it.

"I just think there should be a better job done in communication with players prior to changing things like this."

For Djokovic, Monday's match behind closed doors was a peculiar experience, with fans - including his family - shown on courtside big screens while watching remotely.

"We're all trying to get used to these kind of circumstances, having big LED screens on the side, kind of behind the court," he said. "Obviously, seeing the rest of my team and my family and my friends on the screen was a delight. Truly, it was really, really nice. It brought a smile to my face, kind of motivated me to keep on playing well.

"I was speaking with the USTA people. They still did not clarify and determine when are they going to switch on the screens, whether it's going to be after points, games, sets. They are kind of testing it out.

"I think it was fine. It was not bothering us players obviously serving or playing. I think most importantly not during play. It was fine. It was not hindering the play. At least you get a sense that they are with you virtually."

Djokovic, who is the heavy favourite to win a fourth US Open title this month and has won all 24 of his matches in 2020, faces Kyle Edmund in round two.

Edmund has won only once in six meetings with Djokovic, at the Madrid Masters two years ago, and was beaten in straight sets in the last 16 at Flushing Meadows in 2016.

"He does have a really good serve and forehand, two really big weapons," Djokovic said. "I had some really good matches against him in the past, Wimbledon, tough four-setter a few years ago. He doesn't feel so much pressure I think playing on the big court. He actually likes the challenge. I have a lot of respect for him. He's a really hard worker, puts a lot of hours on and off the court into perfecting his game.

"His results were kind of up and down a little bit, but I think he does have the game and the potential to be in the top 20 without a doubt, where I expect him to be soon. So it's going to be a tough one.

"Do I want to keep the [winning] streak going? Of course I do. Am I thinking about it as a priority number one every single day? No. It's there, and of course, it's an additional motivation for me. It actually fuels me to play even stronger, play even better, I think, bring the right intensity every match.''

After improving to 23-0 this year by winning the Western & Southern Open, Djokovic showed few signs of fatigue in a 6-1 6-4 6-1 victory over Dzumhur at Flushing Meadows.

The world number one endured a battle during the second set, but he closed out a win in one hour, 58 minutes.

Djokovic maintained his record of having never lost in the first round at the US Open, improving that record to 15-0.

The 17-time grand slam champion is the favourite to win his fourth US Open and he showed why early on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Djokovic broke the Dzumhur serve twice and committed just six unforced errors to cruise through the opening set.

However, his level dropped and frustration grew as Dzumhur battled during a gruelling second set.

After the players exchanged breaks, there were long sixth and seven games, Dzumhur also squandering opportunities before Djokovic broke for 5-4, then sealing the set and letting out a huge scream.

An early break in the third set sent Djokovic on his way, with Dzumhur requiring treatment on his abdominal muscles as the Serbian closed out victory.

Djokovic will face Brit Kyle Edmund in the second round.

STATISTICAL BREAKDOWN  

Djokovic [1] bt Dzumhur 6-1 6-4 6-1

WINNERS/UNFORCED ERRORS   

Djokovic – 32/29
Dzumhur – 24/41

ACES/DOUBLE FAULTS   

Djokovic – 5/5
Dzumhur – 2/8

BREAK POINTS WON   

Djokovic – 7/19
Dzumhur – 1/7

FIRST SERVE PERCENTAGE   

Djokovic – 60
Dzumhur – 56

PERCENTAGE OF POINTS WON ON FIRST/SECOND SERVE   

Djokovic – 73/55
Dzumhur – 55/36

TOTAL POINTS   

Djokovic – 105
Dzumhur – 72