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World number one Ash Barty has been handed a tough path in the US Open draw, with Iga Swiatek, Karolina Pliskova, and Bianca Andreesscu all in her half.

Barty will start her campaign against Russian Vera Zvonareva, and could face Swiatek in the quarterfinals.

Andreescu, a former US Open champion, may not have played enough tennis in the last year to pose a significant threat in her quarter.

Pliskova is in that section of the US Open draw too, alongside the likes of Petra Kvitova, Maria Sakkari, Paula Badosa, Jelena Ostapenko, and Anastasia Pavlyuchenko.

The toughest section of the draw definitely appears to belong to Naomi Osaka, though.

Osaka will be bidding for a third title in the event, and if she achieves it then she has likely worked very hard for it.

Elina Svitolina, Simona Halep, Angelique Kerba, and Coco Gauff are all potential opponents for her before the semi-finals, as are Daria Kasatkina and Elena Rybakina.

World number two Aryna Sabalenka headlines the bottom quarter alongside reigning French Open champion Barbora Krejčíková.

The dangerous Ons Jabeur is in that section, as are Garbine Muguruza and Victoria Azarenka.

This article first appeared on Tennisbuzz and was syndicated with permission.

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