We look at the British players who will fly the flag at the US Open
Monday 27 August 2018 15:47, UK
We cast an eye on the British players who will be flying the flag at this year's US Open at Flushing Meadows.
Only four British singles players have gained direct entry to the main draw of this year's tournament in New York while a strong presence in qualifying will hopefully yield further representation.
Here, we look at the stars who will fly the British flag in the final Grand Slam of the year...
Andy Murray
After a lot of pain, tears and several false starts, Murray is finally set to make his Grand Slam return. He has missed the last four major tournaments with his right hip problem, pulling out on the eve of last year's US Open and Wimbledon earlier this summer. His performances in Washington earlier this month showed he has lost none of his heart or desire and his movement is improving. Expectations should be realistic - just being on court is a major achievement.
Kyle Edmund
Having taken over from Murray as British No 1, Edmund has established himself in the top 20 and has reserved his best performances for the Grand Slams. In his two previous main-draw appearances at the US Open, he has not lost before the third round, and being seeded should give him an easier draw. Has struggled so far on the North American hard courts but enjoys the conditions at Flushing Meadows.
Cameron Norrie
Norrie has almost made professional tennis look easy since leaving college in Texas last spring. He raced into the top 100 and has not looked back, with the top 50 now in his sights. Norrie made a fine US Open debut 12 months ago, coming through qualifying and then winning his first Grand Slam match before falling in round two. A fine competitor and learning all the time.
Johanna Konta
Konta finds herself as the only British woman directly into the field following Heather Watson's tumble out of the top 100. Having seen her own ranking drop, Konta will not be seeded in New York, and her form remains very inconsistent. She has won only two matches in her last four Grand Slam appearances, beginning with a shock first-round loss at the US Open 12 months ago, but has twice reached the fourth round at Flushing Meadows.
Heather Watson
Watson beat fellow Brit Katie Swan 6-2 6-4 to qualify for the US Open draw. Watson will play Russia's Ekaterina Makarova in the first round - she has never reached the second round, although she won the junior title in 2009.
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Tennis is back on Sky Sports screens with the Laver Cup in September while we will also have coverage of the ATP Finals in November with every match live on Sky Sports. But first, we will be across the final major of the year in New York as the US Open gets underway on August 27, right through to the final with live blogs, reports, features and reaction.
