US Open 2022 LIVE: Andy Murray beats Francisco Cerundolo in straight sets to reach second round

Cameron Norrie is looking to build on his breakthrough Wimbledon run by seizing his opportunity at the US Open.

The British number one achieved another landmark in what has been an exceptional 18 months by reaching his first grand slam semi-final at the All England Club last month.

And Norrie goes into the year’s final slam buoyed by more strong performances on the north American hard courts, reaching the final of an ATP Tour event in Mexico and then the semi-finals in Cincinnati last week.

One of Norrie’s big strengths is his level-headed approach, and he said of his Wimbledon achievements: “It was a lot of fun but I don’t think (my life) has changed at all. I had the weekend there and then I left and I was preparing for the hard-court season, the best part of my season.

“It was a big goal at the start of the year to make the second week for the first time and to do that and go a couple further was obviously great and to play the level that I did in those rounds beyond that was very cool.”

As the US Open prepares to say goodbye to Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka was succinct in summing up why whatever tributes and send-offs that are planned will still not be nearly enough, writes Jamie Braidwood.

“You can’t even describe it in words,” Osaka said when asked about the legacy left behind by one of sport’s greatest ever figures, ahead of what is expected to be Williams’s final tournament in New York this week.

It is true – how can you? Especially if, like for the 24-year-old Osaka, the image of Williams and her sister Venus being at the top of tennis is all you have known. Perhaps, then, the best way to view the transformational impact of Williams, on the sport and on and off the court, is through the generation of players who have followed in her lead.

Read Jamie’s full preview of the women’s draw here:

Serena Williams’ fellow players have been queuing up to praise her impact on and off the court ahead of her farewell to tennis.

Although she has not completely shut the door on future appearances, the US Open looks set to be her swansong, bringing the curtain down on a 27-year career.

The majority of the players at Flushing Meadows were not born when Williams made her professional debut in 1995 and have only known the sport with her as its dominant figure.

Naomi Osaka’s father was inspired by the success of Richard Williams in raising two champion daughters and followed his blueprint.

Andy Murray’s cramp issues remain a mystery after tests came back clear ahead of the US Open.

The 35-year-old has generally coped well with hot and humid conditions during his career but has struggled over the past few weeks, cramping in three different matches, including his loss to Cameron Norrie in Cincinnati last week.

Murray underwent sweat testing to try to get to the bottom of the problem but that did not flag up any issues.

“It was all good,” he said. “Sweat test was good. Blood test was good. No illnesses.”

While that is positive news, it still leaves Murray unsure as to the cause of the problem.

The US Open says farewell to Serena Williams as New York hosts a highly-intriguing final grand slam of the year.

Williams has said that she intends to “evolve” away from tennis at the end of the tournament, with the 23-time grand slam singles champion preparing to bid farewell to Flushing Meadows with entries into both the singles and the doubles, having been handed a wildcard alongside sister Venus.

There is no Novak Djokovic, though, with the 35-year-old unable to travel the United States due to his vaccination status, opening up the men’s draw as Daniil Medvedev bids to defend his title and Rafael Nadal seeks a third major crown of 2022. On the women’s side, Emma Raducanu will hope to put a mixed year behind her 12 months on from her stunning maiden triumph.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the US Open, including the schedule and Day 1 order of play:

Andy Murray wound back the clock on the eve of a US Open that marks a decade since he first became a grand slam champion.

It was at Flushing Meadows in 2012 that Murray made it across the line in his fifth slam final, defeating Novak Djokovic to lift the trophy on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

His most vivid memories are from before and after the final, with the Scot recalling: “I remember how I felt before the match. I remember being in the locker room on my own and feeling unbelievably nervous and feeling pretty lonely and kind of feeling a lot of pressure.

“I remember after the match going back on to the court before I left the venue. I just wanted to be out there on my own.

“I was very proud of myself. I didn’t feel like going wild and celebrating and that sort of stuff. I just felt quite relaxed and it was just such a big relief to get over that line.”

When imagining the post-big three era of men’s tennis amid their years of domination, there was a time where the picture of future grand slams would look and feel a little like this upcoming US Open, writes Jamie Braidwood .

We are not in that era yet, of course, given the first three grand slams of the year have been split between Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic – the big three’s domination continuing – but if last year’s US Open was defined by Emma Raducanu’s stunning run from qualifying to the title, there is a feeling New York could produce another unlikely champion in the men’s tournament this month.

Djokovic will miss his second grand slam of the season as his hope for a change in Covid-19 vaccine rules for non-US citizens ended, as was always expected, without the good news he desperately held out for.

Last year for Djokovic was all about the golden slam, and he came within a defeat to Daniil Medvedev from winning all four majors in a single season for the first time. Apart from his Wimbledon triumph, Djokovic’s emotional loss on Arthur Ashe last September led to what feels like a wasted year on-court, as he remains unmoved in his opposition to the vaccine.

Read Jamie’s full preview of the men’s tournament here:

Welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of Day 1 of the 2022 US Open as Andy Murray returns to the scene of his maiden major triumph in New York a decade ago.

Murray is in action on the opening day of competition at Flushing Meadows (getting underway at 4pm BST), having been handed a tough first-round draw against Francisco Cerundolo, the 24th seed who is currently ranked at No 27 in the world - 24 places above his opponent.

The veteran British player has endured a disrupted build-up to the tournament, hampered by cramps during the North American hard-court swing, but will be hoping to find top form and aiming to reach the fourth round of a major for the first time since 2017.

Murray’s chances of winning in New York this week and adding to his tally of majors appear slim, although the men’s draw is wide open. There is no Novak Djokovic, with the 35-year-old unable to travel to the United States due to his vaccination status, as Daniil Medvedev bids to defend his title and Rafael Nadal seeks a third major crown of 2022.

Stick with us as we take you through all the action.