Azarenka to play Hradecka in US Open first round

Belarus number one Victoria Azarenka, ranked 20th in the world, has been drawn against Czech Lucie Hradecka (World No.55) in the first round of the US Open which begins on 31 August.

Fellow Belarusian Olga Govortsova (69) will take on Romania's 28th seed Irina-Camelia Begu.

The Belarusian contingent could yet be swelled with two more players still going in qualifying. Young Belarusian tennis player Alexandra Sasnovich (118) has one qualifying round to play in a bid to reach the main draw. In the deciding match she will face Japan's Misa Eguchi (192).

Vladimir Ignatik (202) also continues his US Open qualifying run after beating China's Jason Jung (233) 6-1, 7-5 in the opener. Vladimir Ignatik will next face Russia's Yevgeny Donskoi (138). Fellow Belarusian Dmitry Zhirmont (278) lost to Spain's Adrian Menendez Maceiras (132) 2-6, 2-6 in the qualifying round one.

The US Open main draw games are scheduled for 31 August-13 September. The US Open prize money for 2015 will make up $42.3 million. Winners in the men's and women's singles will get $3.3 million each, while finalists will earn $1.6 million each. The doubles champions will get $570,000 each, while the finalists will earn $275,000 each.