Rinky Hijikata, Maya Joint and Ajla Tomljanovic are among nine Australians in action on day three at US Open 2024.
New York, USA, 28 August 2024 | Leigh Rogers
Rinky Hijikata, Maya Joint and Ajla Tomljanovic are all hoping to eliminate seeded opponents in second-round singles action on day three at US Open 2024.
The 23-year-old Hijikata has the chance to score his career-first top-10 win when he plays Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov. It will be his third meeting with the world No.9 this season.
“He absolutely whacked me a few weeks ago,” said world No.62 Hijikata, who managed to win only a single game in their second-round meeting at the recent Montreal Masters.
“Maybe I can make it a little more competitive this time, put myself in a position to do something. As always, I’ll just compete as hard as I can. I’ll be looking to hopefully flip the script a bit.”
There’s no shortage of motivation for Tomljanovic as she prepares for a second-round clash with No.33 seed Elise Mertens.
The 31-year-old, who has won two of her previous three meetings with the Belgian, is looking to progress to the third round at a Grand Slam tournament for the first time in two years.
“As much as any win is great, winning at a Slam, it’s special,” world No.118 Tomljanovic said after beating American qualifier Ann Li in the opening round earlier this week. “It’s just everything; the whole atmosphere. You want to be here as long as possible.”
Meanwhile, world No.135 Joint is hoping to extend her stunning Grand Slam breakthrough when she takes on big-hitting American Madison Keys at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
After scoring her first main-draw win at this level, the 18-year-old qualifier is embracing having “no pressure” in her career-first meeting with a top-50 player.
“I’ve seen Madison Keys play multiple times on television, but obviously never played against her,” Joint said of the US Open 2017 finalist. “I’m excited, I think it should be a good match.”
Alexei Popyrin, who is seeded at a Grand Slam for the first time in his career, is also in action, taking on world No.43 Pedro Martinez.
A further five Australian players, including Olympic gold medallist John Peers, feature as the doubles competitions get underway.
The US Open is broadcast live in Australia on the Nine Network and Stan Sport, with coverage beginning from 1am AEST (from Thursday 29 August).
Aussies in action on day three:
Women’s singles, second round
Ajla Tomljanovic (AUS) v [33] Elise Mertens (BEL), Court 7, first match (from 1am AEST)
[Q] Maya Joint (AUS) v [14] Madison Keys (USA), Arthur Ashe Stadium, day session, first match (from 2am AEST)
Men’s singles, second round
Rinky Hijikata (AUS) v [9] Grigor Dimitrov (BUL), Stadium 17, first match (from 1am AEST)
[28] Alexei Popyrin (AUS) v Pedro Martinez (ESP), Court 11, third match
Women’s doubles, first round
Olivia Gadecki (AUS)/Wu Fang-Hsien (TPE) v Camila Osorio (COL)/Alycia Parks (USA), Court 8, first match (from 1am AEST)
[5] Ellen Perez (AUS)/Nicole Melichar-Martinez (USA) v [WC] McCartney Kessler (USA)/Sabrina Santamaria (USA), Court 10, first match (from 1am AEST)
Ajla Tomljanovic (AUS)/Viktoriya Tomova (BUL) v Petra Martic (CRO)/Shelby Rogers (USA), Court 6, fourth match
Men’s doubles, first round
[7] Max Purcell (AUS)/Jordan Thompson (AUS) v Marcos Giron (USA)/Botic van de Zandschulp (NED), Court 8, third match
Mixed doubles, first round
John Peers (AUS)/Katerina Siniakova (CZE) v Rafael Matos (BRA)/Luisa Stefani (BRA), Court 15, fourth match
> VIEW: Full US Open 2024 day three schedule
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