World number one Ash Barty overcame a second set struggle to defeat Vera Zvonareva 6-1 7-6 in her opening match at the US Open.
The Wimbledon champion was made to work for her victory in the second set but ultimately was successful in her opening match at the US Open.
Next for Barty will be Clara Tauson on Thursday after the Dane beat Clara Burel in straight sets.
Barty headed into the US Open as the favourite for the title having recently won Cincinnati in convincing fashion and showed a glimpse of that form early on.
Zvonareva couldn’t handle the venomous pace of the Aussie’s forehand as well as Barty’s accurate serve and slice combinations.
A quick double break was established by the world number one as she took control of the rallies and the opening set.
Only two winners from the Russian summed up her level in the opening set as Barty took the first set 6-1.
The second set was less smooth from Barty’s point of view as she made a lot more unforced errors and became a lot more passive.
After breaking in the third game, the top seed threw in a loose game to get Zvonareva back in the match with the Russian improving her level drastically.
Play was temporarily suspended after five games after the Electronic Hawk-Eye had stopped working.
Luckily it was working again in no time and it resumed with Barty breaking in the seventh game with some effective angles and an increase of speed with her forehand.
Just when it looked like Barty was coasting to victory another blip as the Australian’s defensive slice was getting ineffective with Zvonareva neutralising it well.
Another loose game saw it become 5-5 and eventually a second set tiebreak would settle things.
Eventually Barty produced the more stable tennis as her forehand got her over the finishing line as she booked her place in the second round.
Barty will need to improve her level in the second round where she will face talented Dane Clara Tauson after she beat Clara Burel 7-5 6-0.
