BBC Radio 5 Live

Great Britain's Toby Samuel, spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live ahead of the tournament about the secret behind coming through qualifying again: "I'm not sure - I'm just coming to these events, focused and competing my hardest, leaving everything out there and especially in this qualifying. I've been a set down in every single match and I've really had to dig deep and believe in myself to be able to come back and get through them.

"But obviously, from qualifying at Roland Garros through three sets, I know that I have that ability to push through the tough moments and I think the belief is there that I can get to main draws."

On coming through the final round of qualifying after Cristian Garin retired while the match was suspended: "I was just sat in the cafe, waiting to hear what the plan was for the rain and whether we were going to come back out and I got a call saying your opponent's withdrawn and you're through.

"It was bittersweet, super happy that I was able to get through but also I didn't get to see him or ask what happened or finish the match off and celebrate in front of the crowd. But sorry to hear he got injured and I hope he recovers well."

On the US Open: "I've never played on these courts before so first time here. I came to New York once in college but I didn't play at this site so sort of first experience. I'm super happy with how I've dealt with that first time and hopefully I can carry on."

Does it feel natural to play in the USA? "Yeah I'm definitely used to playing in the States - the crowds are super lively, a lot of atmosphere and noise and the four years at college really helped prepare me for that."

On targets for the year: "Obviously ranking - I'm trying to push to the top 100, it would be a great milestone for my career and to push for Australian Open main draw because obviously qualifying is great, but it would be a lot nicer to be getting straight into the tournament to give myself and my body to prepare and rest up for the main draw.

"Playing for Great Britain has been a dream of mine from a young age and I've just got keep trying to push and do as well as I can this week to give myself the best shot for that open spot [for the Davis Cup]."

Image source, Getty Images

Toby Samuel begins his maiden US Open campaign against Czech Tomas Machac on court 10.

The 23-year-old is one of six Britons in the men’s singles after coming from a set down in each of his three qualifying matches to reach the main draw.

Samuel, who began 2026 ranked outside the world’s top 250, has climbed the standings after collecting four titles at Challenger and ITF level, reaching the semi-finals in Eastbourne, and playing in the first round at Roland Garros (his Grand Slam main-draw debut) and Wimbledon. At the latter, he took 15th seed Jakub Mensik to a fifth-set tie-break.

Now 110th in the rankings, he returned to the hard courts with a run to the title at the Winnipeg Challenger in July but has only played two matches since then.

Samuel is searching for his first Grand Slam main draw win.

Really solid start by both players on serve in this set.

Luca Van Assche holds to love to move back in front.

A well-executed overhead from Cameron Norrie receives plenty of love from the engaged crowd on court five.

It is a crowd that is going to be packed with British support today, with Katie Boulter and Jacob Fearnley also appearing on this court later.

From 15-15, Norrie wins three straight points to get up and running in the second set.

Hugo Gaston is trying to catch out Dannil Medvedev by mixing up his shots, but the former champion is having none of it. He is hitting back every drop shot and lob attempt by the Frenchman and now he's got an early break as a reward.

It will be Luca Van Assche to serve first in set two, following a first set lasting over an hour.

Will the French 22-year-old be able to quickly move on from losing that first set, or will it be playing on his mind?

As far as this first game is concerned, it appears to be the former. A love hold is the ideal start for him.

Image source, Getty Images

Pat Cash
Former Wimbledon champion on BBC Radio 5 Live

Norrie, the more experienced player, played well under pressure. We saw a double fault from Van Assche in the tiebreaker and a couple of errors for a couple of really big points and Norrie does what Norrie does - just compete really well in a tiebreaker and was basically just biding his time.

Great resilience from Cameron Norrie. After seeing those first two set points disappear, the Briton goes again and gets his reward this time!

Luca Van Assche can't keep out the 29th seed for a third time. A big celebration from Norrie, who will hope to really push on now.

Cam Norrie cracks a superb forehand winner down the line for a third set point.

What a shot that is from Luca Van Assche!

Having saved the first set point, the Frenchman stays solid in defence before whacking a forehand winner perfectly into the back corner of Cameron Norrie's court to level the tie-break after 12 points.

What a tussle this is turning out to be.

So far, so good for Daniil Medvedev as he serves out the opening set.

He faced one break point in his opening service game, but it's been plain sailing since then. Hugo Gaston hasn't had a look in.

The Frenchman receives some treatment before the start of the second set, getting some strapping wrapped around his right wrist.

Ouch.

A double fault from Luca Van Assche gifts Cameron Norrie two set points!

Pat Cash
Former Wimbledon champion on BBC Radio 5 Live

Norrie's been waiting for those opportunities. He's staying in the rally, waiting for the short ball, hit the backhand across the court or the forehand down the line and that time it was perfect.

Image source, Getty Images

Another "allez!" from Cameron Norrie rings around the arena as Luca Van Assche gets a forehand all wrong.

And now it is advantage Norrie, following in a serve to volley his way to a 5-3 lead.

But a miss at the net denies him his first set points.

Cameron Norrie makes no mistake with this latest forehand, levelling the tie-break at three points apiece before the change of ends.

We said it was likely going to be a close one...

Cameron Norrie restores parity with a backhand winner, but then hands advantage back to Luca Van Assche as he sends a forehand wide. Both players struggling for consistency in these key moments.

Pat Cash
Former Wimbledon champion on BBC Radio 5 Live

Norrie was in big trouble there when he saved some break points and has got himself into a tie-break. I think his coach will be relatively happy about the position he's in.

A poor miss at the net by Cameron Norrie offers Luca Van Assche a big boost at the start of the tie-break.

The Briton then frames a shot well beyond the baseline, but Norrie is on the board as Van Assche nets with the court at his mercy.

Cameron Norrie is looking to strike a huge blow here on Luca Van Assche's serve.

After twice breaking back to level this opening set, it is now Norrie applying the pressure as he nudges ahead at 15-30.

On an important fifth point, Norrie looks to be in charge but nets a backhand to give Van Assche a game point. Another miss - we're going to a tie-break.

Somewhat surprisingly, Cameron Norrie is the one shouting "allez" as he reaches game points against France's Luca Van Assche.

He lets out another celebratory shout in his opponent's language as he holds to once again move a game away from the set.