Maria Sharapova expects a tough battle against Heather Watson when the pair clash in the opening round of the US Open today.


Maria Sharapova

Guernsey teenager Watson qualified automatically for the main draw only two years after winning the junior title at Flushing Meadows thanks to a swift rise up the rankings.

The 19-year-old, ranked 104th in the world, was guaranteed a high-profile debut when the draw was made and she will play on the biggest court in tennis, Arthur Ashe Stadiumu00a0-- providing the first two matches do not overrun.

The Russian said: "I've never played her before. I saw a little bit of her matches in the past, I think at Wimbledon, her first rounds.

"She's someone that's up and coming, and those are sometimes dangerous because they're quite fearless when they go on the court, they don't have much to lose.

"It's not too often that you play an opponent you haven't played against before, so it's not an easy first round."