International

Serena Williams has been paired with Maria Sharapova in an eye-catching US Open first round encounter.

Williams and Sharapova have met in the finals of the other three majors and the 2012 Olympics but have yet to face each other in the US Open
     The 23-time grand slam title winner boasts a 19-2 record in their WTA Tour clashes, but that lopsided number will do little to dampen the excitement around what will be the marquee match of the opening round at Flushing Meadows, which begins Monday.