Britain’s rising star Toby Samuel made a spectacular debut on the US Open stage, clinching his first Grand Slam victory with a dominant straight‑sets win. The 23‑year‑old, who battled through three qualifying rounds to earn his place in the main draw, faced former world No. 20 Tomas Machac and dispatched the Czech veteran 6‑2, 6‑3, 6‑2 in just ninety minutes. Samuel’s performance was a masterclass in serving precision and aggressive baseline play, allowing him to dictate the tempo from the outset.
The win propelled Samuel up the ATP rankings, securing a spot inside the top 100 for the first time in his career. He now prepares to meet the 18th seed, fellow Czech Jiri Lehecka, in the second round on Wednesday.
Reflecting on his achievement, Samuel, who was ranked 683 a year ago, admitted he was exhausted but elated: "I'm so tired, but otherwise I'm so happy to have got the job done there. I played a great match – I'm just so thankful to everyone that has supported me to this moment, and hopefully I can carry on into next week. The first two sets I wasn't missing any balls.
In the third, he came out a bit stronger – I had a little dip in the first few games, but I came out of it quickly. I'm just going to try and do exactly what I did today in the next match." Throughout the contest Samuel was clearly the superior player, breaking Machac early in both the first and second sets and maintaining relentless pressure. His serve remained unassailable until the third set, when he suffered a solitary break but immediately responded by winning six consecutive games, sealing his maiden Grand Slam win and ending his previous winless streak at the majors. On the women’s side, Britain’s number one Katie Boulder also progressed, overcoming a gritty battle against American wildcard Carol Young Suh Lee.
Boulder, 30, seemed to be cruising to a straight‑sets victory, taking an early lead with a break. However, a series of costly double‑faults allowed Lee to claw back into the match. Undeterred, Boulder, bolstered by the support of her husband, Australian ATP player Alex de Minaur, steadied herself on the lively Court Five and ultimately prevailed 6‑4, 3‑6, 6‑0. Boulder’s triumph sets up a potentially challenging second‑round encounter with this year’s Wimbledon finalist Karolina Muchova, a player known for her defensive prowess and tactical variety.
Such a matchup would test Boulder’s ability to blend power with consistency against a seasoned opponent. In contrast, British veteran Cameron Norrie suffered a disappointing first‑round exit, marking his third consecutive early loss at a Grand Slam this season. Norrie fell to French qualifier Luca Van Assche in a four‑set battle, 7‑6(8‑6), 2‑6, 2‑6, 3‑6. After a tightly contested opening set that saw Norrie edge ahead, his level dipped early in the second set, and Van Assche seized the momentum, dominating the long baseline exchanges that followed.
The match highlighted Norrie's struggle to sustain intensity, a point he acknowledged in post‑match comments: "It was really tough. I was pretty nervous and it showed in the beginning of the first set, and I did well to steal that first set. But I could never really maintain a good level of energy and momentum, and I'd play well for a little bit and then drop off a couple of games here and there.
So that was super frustrating and pretty surprising. I felt like I lost to myself today." Norrie’s defeat also underscores a shift in British tennis hierarchy, as he has been overtaken as the nation’s No. 1 by Arthur Fery, who recently reached the Winston‑Salem final. Van Assche’s victory not only advances him to the second round—a first in his career at the US Open—but also signals the emergence of new talent capable of challenging established players.
The US Open continues to broadcast live on Sky Sports daily through September 13, with additional streaming options available via NOW and the Sky Sports app, offering contract‑free access to matches, highlights, and exclusive video content. Fans can also look forward to the upcoming Laver Cup at The O2 in London from 25‑27 September, which will be shown live on Sky Sports, providing further high‑level tennis action for British audiences.
Overall, the opening day of the tournament delivered a mix of breakthrough moments and hard‑earned lessons for the British contingent. Samuel’s meteoric rise, Boulder’s resilient comeback, and Norrie’s introspective defeat collectively illustrate the unpredictable and thrilling nature of Grand Slam competition, setting the stage for compelling narratives as the fortnight progresses.