British stars break 45-year record after remarkable US Open first-round triumphs
British tennis stars completed a stunning feat on Tuesday as all seven players from the UK reached the second round of the US Open.
Six of those victories came on Tuesday, the first time so many British players have progressed on the same day for 45 years. All the more remarkable is that all seven stars won in straight sets, with the British players failing to drop any of the 18 sets they played over the last two days.
Yuriko Miyazaki got the streak started on Monday, defeating Margarita Betova 6-3, 6-3 in their first round clash. Superstar Andy Murray had a brief moment of trouble when Corentin Moutet served for the second set, though the Scot ultimately won 6-2, 7-5, 6-3.
Katie Boulter blitzed Diane Parry 6-4, 6-0 in her first round match, with Jack Draper also breezing into the second round by defeating Radu Albot 6-1, 6-4, 6-3 in just 123 minutes. Dan Evans also eased past his opponent Daniel Elahi Galan.
Evans won his match 6-4, 6-2, 7-5, while Cameron Norrie had an easier time of it against Alexander Shevchenko, who he defeated 6-3, 6-2, 6-2. Jodie Burrage had the toughest task of the day, taking on World No.38 Anna Blinkova.
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Burrage was ranked significantly lower than the Russian, but won 6-3, 6-4 to set up a second round clash against World No.2 Aryna Sabalenka. The British contingent also played without knowing each other's scorelines.
Evans admitted it had been too difficult to follow along and was left shocked when he heard the 18 sets statistic. He replied: “Really? F***ing hell. That’s an amazing day, to be honest. I’ve never heard of that ever.”
Draper meanwhile was delighted to see his fellow Brits all progress to the next stage. And he insisted that they all push each other to do better, having trained with many of them on a regular basis.
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Jodie Burrage rounded off the stunning achievement by beating Anna Blinkova (Mike Stobe/Getty Images)“Definitely having other Brits do well in the draw is amazing for British tennis. We can all push each other to be better. Seeing other players do well that I’m training with on a daily basis makes me really happy because I see what they’re going through, their journey," he said.
"I wish them all the best and hopefully we can all support each other moving forward in big tournaments like this. I’ve always got on well with Cam, Andy, Dan. I don’t speak to them loads because everyone is in their own zone.
"But no doubt those guys have been incredible role models for me and good support. When I’m around, they make me feel comfortable, especially on the tour, because you’re in the locker rooms and you don’t know many people.”
Burrage, who was given the tough task of bringing an end to a remarkable day was left with a feeling of relief. She said: “I felt a little pressure going on the court after all the Brits winning today. I wish I hadn’t known that going on, but who knows, maybe it helped me."
The second round gets underway on Wednesday, with Miyazaki again the first British player in action. Murray will face World No.19 Grigor Dimitrov, while British No.1 Norrie will take on Yu Hsiou Hsu.
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