Serena Williams draws Ekaterina Makarova in U.S. Open first round

Serena Williams and Ekaterina Makarova will meet in the first round—two years after they played in the semifinals.

Author:
SI Wire
Publish date:
Aug 26, 2016

Serena Williams will face Ekaterina Makarova in the first round of the 2016 U.S. Open, a rematch of a 2014 semifinal.

Williams, the top seed of the tournament, is aiming for her 23rd Grand Slam title, which would surpass Steffi Graf for the most all-time in the Open Era. Makarova, a former world No. 8, is unseeded at this tournament but should offer Williams a tough early test.

Makarova was unseeded when she upset Williams in the fourth round of the 2012 Australian Open.

On the men's side, No. 1 seed Novak Djokovic will open his tournament against Jerzy Janowicz. Andy Murray, the No. 2 seed, will meet Lukas Rosol in the first round.

Projected men's quarterfinals are as follows: No. 1 Novak Djokovic vs. No. 7 Marin Cilic; No. 4 Rafael Nadal vs. No. 5 Milos Raonic; No. 3 Stan Wawrinka vs. No. 8 Dominic Thiem; and No. 2 Andy Murray vs. No. 6 Kei Nishikori.

U.S. Open 2016 preview roundtable: Predictions, top storylines

American John Isner, the world No. 22, will play compatriot Frances Tiafoe in the first round. Tiafoe, 18, is playing the second U.S. Open main draw of his career.

Projected women's quarterfinals are as follows: No. 1 Serena Williams vs. No. 5 Simona Halep; No. 4 Agnieszka Radwanska vs. No. 6 Venus Williams; No. 3 Garbine Muguruza vs. No. 8 Madison Keys; and No. 2 Angelique Kerber vs. No. 7 Roberta Vinci.

Roger Federer is skipping the tournament due to lingering issues with his knee. Tomas Berdych, Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka are other notable absences, and American Sloane Stephens withdrew on Friday due to a foot injury.

The draw is ongoing. Find out how to watch below.