New York, NY, USA, 31 August 2018 | tennis.com.au

Ash Barty has the fourth round in her sights while Matt Ebden and Ajla Tomljanovic are hoping to continue their progress in the doubles draws.

ORDER OF PLAY: US Open Day 5

[18] Ash Barty v [Q] Karolina Muchova
Third round / Grandstand / fourth match

The Australian has a golden opportunity to advance to the last 16 at a major for the first time when she lines up against the Czech, a qualifier ranked No.202. Muchova is a year older than Barty, but faces a huge deficit in Grand Slam experience; this is her first main-draw appearance at any of the sport’s four premier tournaments. She announced her arrival in style, however, with a stunning second-round win over two-time major winner Garbine Muguruza, impressing onlookers with her power, athleticism and variation.

These are all attributes of Barty’s game, too, meaning we should be treated to an aesthetically-pleasing contest. “It sounds terrible but I’ve never seen her name in a draw,” Barty told AAP. “To be honest, I’ve never seen her. I couldn’t even tell you what she looks like in the locker room, which is poor on my behalf. I’ve had a few (Grand Slam) third rounds now and would love to go to a fourth round and to get past that hurdle. But you’ve got to keep putting yourself in that position to give yourself that chance.”

Barty’s second-round win over former world No.5 Lucie Safarova was impressive and puts her into the third round in New York for a second straight year. She’ll be motivated to go further in 2018.

Men’s doubles

Matt Ebden/Jackson Withrow v [15] Rohan Bopanna/Edouard Roger-Vasselin
Second round / Court 12 / second match

Women’s doubles

Magda Linette/Ajla Tomljanovic v Lesley Kerkhove/Lidziya Marozava
Second round / Court 11 / second match