MORE: Wannabe Wankers! Tool School for Aussie Tennis stars
Odds according to Luxbet.com
Sam Stosur ($1.23) vs Lauren Davis ($4.15)
Suggested bet: Include Stosur in your multis
Stosur simply loves playing pint-sized players - Davis comes in at 1.57m - as she can have them reaching well above their heads for her high-bouncing top-spin ground strokes. Throw in the fact that Davis has lost four straight tour-level matches, while the Australian built confidence with some match wins in New Haven after unfortunately running into Serena Williams early in her two tournaments prior.
Ash Barty ($2.80) vs Barbora Zahlavova Strycova ($1.43)
Suggested bet: Barty head-to-head
I'm keeping with the patriotic theme here, or to be even more precise, a Queenslander theme. After being forced to qualify when a wildcard didn't come her way, the 18-year-old didn't stick out her bottom lip and complain. She got the job done without dropping a set. Barty has a head on her shoulders - unlike her upcoming opponent - and has the nous to outplay Zahlavova Strycova, despite the Czech breaking into the top 30. In the Australian's favour is Zahlavova Strycova's poor US Open record - six first-round losses, and only one main-draw match win. Zahlavova Strycova made the Wimbledon quarter-finals, but that probably means she is set for a comedown.
Yaroslava Shvedova ($2.12) vs Monica Niculescu ($1.72)
Suggested bet: Shvedova head-to-head
Niculescu's gameplan is well-documented, as the Romanian slices off both wings. It can get to some players, but not to Shvedova. The Kazakh has won their previous two meetings, so she knows what it takes to overcome Niculescu's finicky game. Shvedova is not in form, but in her past 10 majors, her only first-round exits have come in Australia. Like Shvedova at the price.
Yoshihito Nishioka ($1.78) vs Paolo Lorenzi ($2.02)
Suggested bet: Nishioka head-to-head, or a decent multi leg
Lorenzi is very unfamiliar with surfaces that are not clay, and with reports suggesting the Flushing Meadows courts have a bit of toe about them, that immediately advantages Nishioka. The Japanese qualified with three upset wins, and has landed himself a dream draw to break through at his first grand slam event.
Day 1 results:
Bachinger ($3.95)
Seppi ($1.49)
Stephens ($1.23)
Gimeno-Traver ($1.64)
Flipkens ($2.50)