Hot on the heels of wildcard Alun Jones’ showdown with world No.2 Rafael Nadal on Arthur Ashe Stadium, fellow Australian Casey Dellacqua is scheduled to take on defending champion Maria Sharapova on centre court in the opening match of tomorrow’s night session.

The 22-year-old left-hander played then-world No.1 Lindsay Davenport on Rod Laver Arena at Australian Open 2006, a valuable experience which she can draw from when going into the second round match. 

Nicole Pratt faces only a slightly less daunting challenge in the form of No.6 seed Anna Chakvetadze of Russia. The 20-year-old reached the round of 16 at last year’s US Open and has had a very successful year on tour, collecting four singles titles.

In other action, Rennae Stubbs and Ashley Fisher are set to play two matches apiece on day four. Stubbs is seeded sixth in the doubles with Czech Kveta Peschke, and will join with Todd Perry in mixed doubles. Fisher will partner Bobby Reynolds of the USA against the No.8 seeds Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram, and contest the mixed doubles with Martina Muller of Germany.

Australian Results: Day Three

Men’s Singles: First Round

[2] Rafael Nadal (ESP) d [WC] Alun Jones (AUS) 7-5 3-6 6-4 6-1

Women’s Doubles: First Round

[2] Lisa Raymond (USA) / Samantha Stosur (AUS) d Andreea Ehritt-Vanc (ROU) / Anastasia Rodionova (RUS) 6-1 6-3

[4] Alicia Molik (AUS) / Mara Santangelo (ITA) d Lourdes Dominguez Lino (ESP) / Arantxa Parra Santonja (ESP) 6-3 6-4

Casey Dellacqua (AUS) / Nicole Pratt (AUS) d [WC] Hilary Barte (USA) / Alexandra Mueller (USA) 6-1 6-2

Jarmila Gajdosova (SVK) / Bryanne Stewart (AUS) d Angelique Kerber (GER) / Yvonne Meusburger (AUT) 6-3 6-3

Men’s Doubles: First Round

Jordan Kerr (AUS) / Tripp Phillips (USA) d [14] Wesley Moodie (RSA) / Fabrice Santoro (FRA)   6-1 7-5

Michal Mertinak (SVK) / Petr Pala (CZE) d Jaroslav Levinsky (CZE) / Todd Perry (AUS) 7-6(6) 3-6 5-2 ret.

Mixed Doubles: First Round

Liezel Huber (USA) / Jamie Murray (GBR) d [4] Mara Santangelo (ITA) / Paul Hanley (AUS)    7-6(3) 7-6(5)

Aussie Watch:

Play commences: 11.00am New York time / 1.00am AEST time

Casey Dellacqua: First match on Arthur Ashe Stadium, Night Session (women’s singles R64)

Rennae Stubbs / Todd Perry: Fifth match on Court 8 (mixed doubles R32)

Nicole Pratt: First match on Court 13 (women’s singles R64)

Ashley Fisher (w/Bobby Reynolds, USA): Second match on Court 14 (men’s doubles R64)

Ashley Fisher (w/Martina Muller, GER): Fifth match on Court 14 (mixed doubles R32)

[6] Rennae Stubbs (w/Kveta Peschke, CZE): Third match on Court 16 (women’s doubles R64)