Two Australians – Ash Barty and Ajla Tomljanovic – have advanced to the third round in the US Open women’s singles competition.

The last time this happened was 2003, when Alicia Molik and Nicole Pratt reached that stage.

This is familiar territory for Barty, with the world No.1 progressing to the third round in 12 of her past 14 Grand Slam appearances. It is also the fourth time she has done so in New York.

However for Tomljanovic, this is a new experience. The 28-year-old had never progressed beyond the second round in seven previous visits to Flushing Meadows.

It follows Tomljanovic’s sensational Wimbledon 2021 quarterfinal run, which was only the second time in 27 Grand Slam appearances she had progressed further than the second round.

Australians in action on day six:

Ajla Tomljanovic (AUS) v [4] Karolina Pliskova (CZE)
Women’s singles, third round, Grandstand, third match (not before 5am AEST)
In her eighth US Open appearance, Tomljanovic has advanced to the third round for the first time. The world No.46’s growing confidence, especially under pressure, was evident in a steely second-round win against No.30 seed Petra Martic. It was her first victory over a seeded opponent in New York – and now the 28-year-old is targeting a second. There is also the added challenge of trying to score a first top-10 win at a Grand Slam since Roland Garros 2014. The 29-year-old Pliskova is currently ranked No.4, but has been as high as No.1 and was a US Open finalist in 2016. They have had some close battles in the past, however Tomljanovic’s only win against the big-serving Czech was more than a decade ago – when both were ranked outside the top 100.
Head-to-head record: Pliskova leads 5-1
Last meeting: Pliskova won 6-4 6-7(5) 6-1 (Brisbane 2020)

[1] Ash Barty (AUS) v Shelby Rogers (USA)
Women’s singles, third round, Arthur Ashe Stadium, night session, first match (from 9am AEST)
Although Barty has won 14 of her past 15 matches and not lost a set this week in New York, she still sees room for improvement. “Some work to do, but we are pleased to be able to go through and get another opportunity,” she said after her second-round win. Barty is looking to match her career-best result at the US Open and advance to the fourth round for the third time. Standing in her way is a familiar opponent. This is the 25-year-old’s fifth meeting with world No.43 Rogers this season – and their sixth in total. Barty has won each of their previous meetings, but has twice been extended to three sets. The world No.1 admits playing the 28-year-old American, who was a quarterfinalist in New York last year, is “always a very big challenge”.
Head-to-head record: Barty leads 5-0
Last meeting: Barty won 6-2 6-1 (Madrid 2021)