Monday 28 August 2017 19:09, UK
Johanna Konta will spearhead British hopes on day one at the US Open, with Heather Watson and Kyle Edmund also among the players to begin their campaigns.
Following Andy Murray's withdrawal from the final Grand Slam of the year Konta, the world No 7, will shoulder the burden of British expectation at Flushing Meadows in New York.
The British No 1, who reached the Wimbledon semi-finals last month, is a serious contender for the title in the women's draw and will face Aleksandra Krunic in the first round in the second match on Grandstand court at around 19:00 BST.
Fellow Brits Watson and Edmund will also take to the courts alongside qualifier Cameron Norrie, the world No 225, who came through qualifying at a Grand Slam event for the first time in his burgeoning career.
Watson, the British No 2, will face Alize Cornet on court four, Edmund will meet the Dutch 32nd seed Robin Haase in a tough encounter while Norrie will open against Russia's world No 645 Dmitry Tursunov.
Konta, who admits she comes into the tournament as "a contender", has proven on past visits that she enjoys playing under the bright lights and razzmatazz of playing in the Big Apple.
The 26-year-old has reached the fourth round in her past two visits and will hope to improve on that record when she begins against Krunic, the world No 78, who reached the last-16 in 2004.
The Russian-born Serb showed her potential with an impressive victory over French Open champion in Cincinnati and the pair will meet each other for the first time in their careers.
"Physically I feel pretty good," Konta said. "Once you get to this stage of the season you do feel the travelling. You do feel a lot of miles under your belt.
"[But] I actually feel pretty good, I feel excited. I'm still very clear and comfortable with how I am on the court - physically, mentally, emotionally I am pretty good."
Meanwhile, Watson will aim to claim her first main-draw win at Flushing Meadows at the seventh attempt.
Watson, 25, is the world No 74 following a promising grass-court season but has suffered main draw opening-round defeats in Washington and Toronto before failing to qualify for Cincinnati.
Edmund comes into the US Open on the aback of an encouraging run to the semi-finals of the Winston-Salem Open but faces a difficult prospect in 30-year-old Haase, who has enjoyed a consistent season on the ATP Tour.
The 22-year-old Edmund will have a tough challenge in replicating last year's impressive run to the fourth round where he defeated Richard Gasquet and John Isner before succumbing to eventual runner-up Novak Djokovic.
Norrie, who only turned professional in June, made his Grand Slam main draw debut at Wimbledon earlier this summer and will fancy his chances of progressing against Tursunov, who lost in the first round on his last appearance at Flushing Meadows in 2014.
Aside from the British contingent there is no question about the headline match on the opening day at Flushing Meadows, with world No 2 Simona Halep facing former US Open champion Maria Sharapova on the Russian's return to Grand Slam competition.
Other notable names to keep an eye out for are US Open women's draw favourite Garbine Muguruza, who has continued her excellent form since winning Wimbledon last month, when she opens proceedings on Arthur Ashe Stadium against Varvara Lepchenko.
Petra Kvitova will meet Serbia's Jelena Jankovic in a first-round clash while seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams and Caroline Wozniacki will also be in action on Monday.
In the men's draw, former US Open champion Marin Cilic will meet American Tennys Sandgren after taking Murray's spot in the draw.
Alexander Zverev, who won back-to-back titles earlier this month, will begin his quest for a maiden Grand Slam title against Darian King of Barbados while American hopefuls John Isner and Sam Querrey will begin against Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Gilles Simon respectively.
Sky Sports Tennis will have all the action from the US Open covered via our website www.skysports.com/tennis with our live blogs and updates throughout the fortnight as the Grand Slam year reaches its climax.
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We will also have coverage of the World Tour Finals in November with every match live on Sky Sports.
