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Sharapova wary of unknown quantity Watson

Heather Watson qualified for the US Open automatically © PA Photos

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Former world No. 1 Maria Sharapova is refusing to underestimate first-round opponent Heather Watson as she prepares to kick-off her US Open campaign.

Three-time grand slam champion Sharapova, seeded third in New York, is scheduled to play British youngster Watson third on the main Arthur Ashe Court at Flushing Meadows, with home favourite Mardy Fish's clash against Tobias Kamke following Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova's opener against Alexandra Dulgheru.

And Sharapova, having been pushed all the way by 17-year-old Laura Robson in the second round at Wimbledon, is wary of the threat former US Open girls' champion Watson poses.

"I've never played her before," Sharapova said. "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."

Players were forced to practice indoors over the weekend as Hurricane Irene arrived in New York, albeit downgraded to a tropical storm, but tournament officials are confident the final major of the year will begin on time.

The US Tennis Association confirmed there was "minimal damage" to the site at Flushing Meadows after 65 mph winds hit the venue and revealed it was in contact with New York City officials about "the ability to start the event on Monday".

Five-time champion Roger Federer will kick off his US Open bid against Santiago Giraldo on Monday, but top seed Novak Djokovic, defending champion Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray will have to wait until Tuesday to get their campaigns underway.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.