Murray handed favourable US Open first-round as unseeded Brit learns tough route

Andy Murray has learned his fate at the US Open after narrowly missing out on being seeded. The former champion in Flushing Meadows has a favourable opening round as he takes on world No 71 Corentin Moutet. But 19th seed Grigor Dimitrov and 12th seed Alexander Zverev are also lurking in his section as he bids to reach the second week. None of the Brits in the singles draws are facing seeds in the first round.

Murray has made it no secret that he wants to have a deep run at a Grand Slam and the US Open is his last chance to do just that in 2023. But it will be a tough task if the 2012 US Open winner is to make it to the second week of a Major for the first time in five years.

The world No 37 opens his campaign against Moutet, a first meeting between the two. But things could get difficult for Murray if he defeats the 24-year-old Frenchman as he could immediately come up against one of the seeded players in Dimitrov.

The No 19 seed faces Alex Molcan in the first round, with the winner taking on Murray if the Brit defeats Moutet. And former US Open finalist Zverev is also in Murray’s section of the draw as a potential third-round opponent – his roadblock to making it into that elusive second week.

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If Murray does make it to the fourth round, he could face sixth seed Jannik Sinner who is coming off the back of his maiden Masters title win in Toronto. The pair were meant to face off at the Canadian Open before the Brit pulled out with an abdominal strain. He is also in the same quarter of the draw as world No 1 and reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz.

Murray isn’t the only Brit with a favourable first round, as Norrie and Evans benefit from being seeded. No 16 seed Norrie opens his campaign against Alexander Shevchenko while Evans, seeded 26th, faces Daniel Galan in the first round. Jack Draper will begin his US Open against Radu Albot.

On the women’s side, Katie Boulter faces France’s Diane Parry in the first round but she could have a tough test against seventh seed Caroline Garcia in round two. Jodie Burrage takes on Anna Blinkova but, like Boulter, she could have a very tough second-round match if she makes it there.

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US Open tennis makes its long-awaited return to Sky Sports and it’s certainly not something to be missed.

Sky Sports subscribers on Sky Glass, Sky Stream, Sky Q, and the Sky Sports app will be able to watch all courts for the first time on Sky Sports.

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The 24-year-old could face world No 2 and Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka in round two. Meanwhile, there are some blockbuster first-round matches in both the men’s and women’s draw.

Venus Williams has a tough opener against former world No 2 Paula Badosa, though the Spaniard has struggled for form of late as she continues to battle with a back injury. World No 4 Elena Rybakina takes on Marta Kostyuk.

And on the men’s side, 2020 champion Dominic Thiem will have a tricky match against 25th seed Alexander Bublik. World No 7 Stefanos Tsitsipas will be tested in the first round as he faces former Wimbledon finalist Milos Raonic who is currently on the comeback trail.

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