Serena Williams to begin US Open title defence against Taylor Townsend

World number one Serena Williams will begin the defence of her US Open title against fellow American Taylor Townsend.

The top seed will face the 18-year-old former junior number one at Flushing Meadows in the first round.

French Open champion Maria Sharapova will kickstart her campaign in New York by taking on fellow Russian Maria Kirilenko.

Williams could potentially face Ana Ivanovic in the quarter-finals of the clash, while Sharapova could go up against her Roland Garros final opponent Simona Halep in the final eight.

Due to the draw, Petra Kvitova may have to play against Eugenie Bouchard for a place in the semi-finals, while Agnieszka Radawanska could go head to head with Angelique Kerber in the final eight.

The tournament gets underway next Monday.