Andy Murray's bid for US Open glory will begin against controversial Australian Nick Kyrgios, while top seed Novak Djokovic takes on Joao Souza.

Kyrgios, ranked 37 in the world, has been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons lately after telling Stan Wawrinka – whose Swiss compatriot Roger Federer will meet Leonardo Mayer – during a match that fellow Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis had slept with his girlfriend.

The 20-year-old, who also appeared to give up at one stage in his Wimbledon fourth-round loss to Richard Gasquet, was sanctioned by the ATP and additional punishments will be meted out if he should err again.

Murray, the third seed, has beaten Kyrgios in straight sets at this year's Australian and French Opens and will have to do so again in order to repeat his triumph at Flushing Meadows in 2012 – his maiden grand slam success.

Djokovic will be hunting his third slam of the year and second seed Federer his sixth US Open crown, while defending champion Marin Cilic faces an as yet unknown qualifier.

Kei Nishikori, the 2014 runner-up, was drawn against Frenchman Benoit Paire.

Potential quarter-final ties would see Djokovic go head to head with Rafael Nadal, Federer meet Tomas Berdych, Wawrinka face Murray and Nishikori take on David Ferrer.

In the women's draw, Serena Williams tackles Vitalia Diatchenko in the opening round as the American seeks to become the first female since Steffi Graf in 1988 to claim all four major titles in the same year.

The American beat Caroline Wozniacki in straight sets to claim her sixth US Open title in 2014 and will be attempting to win her home grand slam for a fourth consecutive year.

Fellow contenders Simona Halep and Maria Sharapova face Marina Erakovic and Daria Gavrilova respectively. 

The tournament begins on August 31.