In the absence of several of Britain’s more experienced players, this US Open is all about unproven millennial talents like Toby Samuel – the Dorset lad who drew first blood on Sunday when he ousted former world No 20 Tomas Machac in three speedy sets: 6-2, 6-3, 6-2.
At 23, Samuel had never won a match in the main draw of a major before, but he cruised through this one with absolute serenity. Apart from a minimum of £140,000 in prize-money, his other significant reward will be a guaranteed place in the world’s top 100 for the first time, once this tournament has finished.
The game plan was clearly to make Machac work as hard as possible, on the principle that he has struggled with a foot injury since May and might not want to play too many long rallies. It worked so well that Samuel finished the match with a paltry 13 unforced errors to his name, while his Czech opponent, who was desperate to finish points as early as possible, sprayed 25 of them.
“Pretty tired, but otherwise I’m so happy to have got the job done there,” Samuel said. “I played a great match – I’m just so thankful for everyone who’s supported me to this moment, and hopefully I can just carry on this week.
“I mean the first two sets, I wasn’t missing any balls, I was feeling amazing, and then start of the third, I knew he’d come out a little stronger, and I had a little dip in the first two games, went a break down, but I got back pretty good, and I managed to close it out comfortably. So I’m very happy.
“Just try and do exactly what I did before today in the match, prepare the same way, but I think I’m probably not going to play that well in the next match. I have to be prepared to fight, and be a bit tougher, but I’m going to do everything I can to get ready.
“I had a few of my college mates from Carolina come down here and support, and they brought the energy, and I was so grateful they were able to come down and give me the fight and energy needed to get the job done today.”
After a uniquely successful week of qualifying in New York, Samuel’s win should at least keep the good vibes flowing for a little longer, even if British No 2 Cameron Norrie was simultaneously slipping to a four-set defeat against fleet-footed Frenchman Luca Van Assche.