Ash weathers conditions

ASHLEIGH Barty is steeling herself for an early test of her US Open title credentials after making an impressive start against Tunisian qualifier Ons Jabeur.

As world No.1 Simona Halep perished in New York’s brutal heat, Barty likened the muggy conditions to being back home in Queensland after storming past Jabeur 6-1, 6-3 in just 65 minutes.

The win set up a second-round date with former grand slam finalist Lucie Safarova.