British hopes enhanced ahead of next week’s US Open in New York
Published:Laura Robson will be joining Andy Murray, Elena Baltacha, Heather Watson and Anne Keothavong in the main draw but there is no room for Naomi Broady or James Ward.
Robson defeated American Taylor Townsend in three sets in his first qualifier and then a straight sets victory over Ling Zhang of Hong Kong secure Robson her place in the first round.
As the 17-year-old continues to grow into her tennis career, playing the US Open for the first time in her career will have a huge influence on her game and will stand her in good stead.
Robson may be 2500/1 to win the US Open, but, of the British girls, she only finds Watson ahead of her in the betting at 1000/1 with Baltacha also 2500/1 and Keothavong 5000/1.
The 17-year-old is charging up the rankings and no matter what her results in the US Open are, this tournament can only be beneficial to the growth of Robson’s career.
Meanwhile Andy Murray has been trimmed in to 9/2 to win the men’s US Open with Roger Federer out to 11/2.
Murray faces Indian Somdev Devvarman in the opening round and has been handed a decent draw as he searches for his first Grand Slam win.
Murray will face Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals should he make it but Stanislas Wawrinka looks his toughest opponent before a potential quarter-final with either Robin Soderling, Juan Martin del Potro or Gilles Simon.
David Ferrer is the toughest opponent in Nadal’s quarter of the draw although there are easier opening games than his with Andrey Golubev out there.
US Open favourite Novak Djokovic finds Richard Gasquet, Tomas Berdych and Gael Monfils in his quarter of the draw while Roger Federer has his Wimbledon nemesis Jo-Wilifried Tsonga and the in-form Mardy Fish.
It promises to be a great fortnight for tennis punters and the draw already provides plenty of clues to the winner.
