Fritz ready for battle against fellow big server Berrettini at US Open

The second round of the U.S. Open begins on Wednesday as the world's top players battle for Grand Slam glory in New York.

Third seed Coco Gauff continues her title defence when she meets German veteran Tatjana Maria, while holder Novak Djokovic returns to the evening session at Arthur Ashe Stadium to face fellow Serb Laslo Djere.

Frances Tiafoe and Taylor Fritz will also be in action on the main showcourts as they resume their quest to end a 21-year American wait for a homegrown men's winner in New York.

TOP MEN'S MATCH: FRITZ v BERRETTINI

Fritz has never lost to Italian Matteo Berrettini in three previous clashes but the 12th seed expects a battle against a fellow big server at Louis Armstrong Stadium.

"In the head-to-head I've been able to get him, but it's always been really close, as it always will be, because both of us are big servers," Fritz said.

"It's going to come down to how we perform ... If someone comes up with something on a big point, it's small margins when there's two people with big games playing each other."

Berrettini has struggled with injuries over the last two years and is unseeded in the season's final Grand Slam.

"It's going to be a tough match but that's why I'm training. That's why I'm working really hard this season, to come back at this level," he said.

TOP WOMEN'S MATCH: SABALENKA v BRONZETTI

Aryna Sabalenka dropped just three games en route to victory in her only previous match against Lucia Bronzetti in Brisbane this year and the Australian Open champion will be the heavy favourite against the unseeded Italian.

The powerful Belarusian made short work of Priscilla Hon in the first round and will look to build more momentum in her bid to reach back-to-back finals in the Grand Slam.

DJOKOVIC DOES