The Swiss virtuoso, who won the Grand Slam tournament in New York five times in a row, between 2004 and 2008, is the seventh seed at the tournament.

With a total of 17 Grand Slam wins, he will be a huge favourite against the Slovenian, who is currently ranked 65th in the world.

Slovenia's second male player at the tournament, Aljaž Bedene, will play the 32nd seed, Dmitry Tursunov of Russia.

Polona Hercog will meanwhile play in the first round of the women's singles against one of the tournament favourites, the 24th seed Ekaterina Makarova of Russia.