Casey Dellacqua feels she is in prime condition for an assault on this year’s US Open.
After a solid month of action, the veteran Australian starts her seventh Open campaign tonight against Estonian qualifier Anett Kontaveit.
Dellacqua said three tournaments in as many weeks has her in peak condition for one of her favourite tournaments of the year.
“Yeah I’m feeling pretty good” the West Australian said.
“I’ve been over in the states for a few weeks now; I’ve had Toronto, Cincinnati and New Haven last week.
“I’ve had a lot of tennis in a competitive situation whether it is doubles or singles, so I feel good.
I’ve hit a lot of balls, I’m ready to go.”
The eft-hander doesn’t have to look far to find fond memories of New York.
In 2014 she was in superb touch, making it through to the second week, stunning now world number 8 Karolina Pliskova on her way to the fourth round.
“Last year was the first year I made the fourth round here.
“I’ve had a lot of success here in doubles as well, I feel good on the hard courts.”
“I know it’s clichéd but I’ll be concentrating on my first match and then as the week goes on, you never know. Last year I struggled through my first couple of rounds and then the tennis got better and better.”
Despite her recent success and her opponents ranking of 152, Dellacqua knows Kontaveit provides plenty of challenges.
Last year at Wimbledon, the pair met in the first round with Dellacqua saving a match point before prevailing in the three sets.
“She’s had three matches here; you never take qualifiers lightly because they’re confident,” Dellacqua said.
“I have played her and I know what to expect and that’s going to be a really tough match, she’s a really good competitor. I have to be on my game, and really sharp and really ready to go.”
The next two weeks also gives Dellacqua a chance to capture an elusive grand slam doubles crown.
Dellacqua has been a ladies finalist five times without taking the final step, including an appearance in the 2013 US Open final with then partner Ash Barty.
But this year could be her best chance alongside new partner Yaroslava Shvedova.
Since partnering with Shvedova the pair has made it to three finals from six tournaments together including the final of the French Open.
Dellacqua and Shvedova are seeded fourth for their US Open campaign.